1st Gen R53 Cooper S Brass caliper bushings

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Razone23, Feb 4, 2017.

  1. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

    Nov 3, 2013
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    So recently I had to replace my rear brake pads and realized the inner pad on the RR had about 30% more wear then the outside pad. I'm thinking about changing over to brass caliper bushings, instead of the rubber design. Id'e like some input negative or positive. But I'm about 100% sure going with brass


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  2. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Oct 23, 2010
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    Brass bushing will transmit more noise from the brakes than rubber bushings.
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    You won't feel or hear any more noise with them. For my money they aren't worth it. I had a set on my MINI & all they did was liberate some money from my wallet. It is normal for the pad on the piston side of the caliper to wear faster. If they are wearing at an odd angle then those bushings may help.
     
  4. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

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    So just buy new rubber bushing ?


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  5. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    #5 cristo, Feb 4, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2017
    I put them in the front. When the pads and discs get worn and a little
    noisy, they probably do transmit a little more of that, and after they've
    been in a number of years, they get a little more play between the
    bushings and the caliper frames than I'd like to see, and you should
    take the pins out to clean and lube the pins and the bushing sleeves
    once or twice a year, as I think more dust gets in there than with the
    stock ones.
    I had one of the pins expand where the allen wrench goes in and get
    way too tight once, but just replaced it with a new pin and brass
    bushing from the spare rear pair that I never got around to installing.

    I think they're more good than bad compared to the oem rubber ones,
    but not by a whole lot.
     
  6. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Brass...? Or stainless steel? Have the SS ones I just service them twice a year at the tire change over.
     
  7. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Dec 22, 2009
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    If you service the standard ones twice a year they'll last too.....

    If you're getting a lot of wear on one side I'll bet the caliper is sticking on the pins.
     
  8. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

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    So based on all the positive feed back. It answered many questions and I will keep the rubber bushings just maintain during tire change over. Thanks all


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  9. clifforddward

    clifforddward Active Member

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    The ultimate option for the rear is to convert to R56 brakes...their design has an enclosed slide arrangement that eliminates the need for the brass bushings and their semi annual maintenance requirement.

    It is a bit more involved as it requires conversion to R56 parking brake set up.

    I'm doing the R56 conversion on my R53 car as part of a R56 Trailing arm conversion where I am also shifting from standard 259mm rotors to the 280mm JCW big rotors for the rear....
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Yup ^^^ I did this as my later Fall / Winter project. So the rear GP 1 arms, GP JCW rear brakes lines are all new with Greene Performance Whiteline adjustable end-links on all 4 corners.

    I also add OS GIKEN Super locker LSD and got rid of the stock LSD. new Clutch, and RMW 500 HP axles. New Dunlop StarSpec II are on the way.
     
  11. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Sounds like a needed write-up for the library!
     

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