Cheaper alternative to B7 caliper clips (DIY)

[Garth_S3]

As we all know, B7 caliper clips look so much better that the B6 items, but they're just so damned expensive new and hard to find used. I decided to make my own and thought others might like the info to save themselves some cash and customise their brakes in the process

So here is the comparison for those that aren't aware:

And my brakes before I started:

Not very nice. Even after painting, they're not massively pretty:

So on to the DIY...

I bought a couple of pieces of 2mm stainless steel sheet from ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291026367918?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=590191243876&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

These are £2 each right now (for 2mm thick, 150mm x 50mm)
I then made a template in photoshop (I can provide this to anyone that wants it) which is actual size/shape of the B7 caliper clip:

I cut these out and traced round with permanent marker:

I used an angle grinder to cut out the shape and clean up the edges:

This left me with these:

Sprayed in primer:

I sprayed these in black enamel paint to match my original B6 clips and used super steel adhesive by plastic padding to attach:

Which gave me this:

I bought some silver high-temp vinyl logos
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271270528748?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
There are six supplied in three different sizes, the largest of which I used. I have the two smaller sizes left over

Once these were applied, it gave me the finished articles:

You could paint your clips any colour you like and buy white, black or silver logos to match your colour scheme. In my opinion these look better than OEM, certainly for the look I wanted

And back on the caliper:

And behind a filthy, horrible wheel:

Hopefully this may be useful for others who want to do something similar.

 

[SmoothAssault]

You've done a really good job of those. Very nice little touch.

...Now go clean your wheels!

 

[Mike.M]

Nice work but would worry about the plate falling off and doing damage to something when in motion.

 

[john777w]

Must be a ****** when parking, getting the wheels in the right position so you can see the logo!!

 

[Garth_S3]

You've done a really good job of those. Very nice little touch.

...Now go clean your wheels!

Thanks, will do

Nice work but would worry about the plate falling off and doing damage to something when in motion.

I was going to weld the pieces but that adhesive is never going to come off. You can easily pick up the weight of you and me with the amount used here. There is absolutely no weight on the parts and the adhesive is easily able to cope with the heat.

Must be a ****** when parking, getting the wheels in the right position so you can see the logo!!

Haha, it's easy when the car is off the ground. I'll never be able to get it to that position again

 

[DrStrange]

Very nice write up!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[vr6gordy]

Before you painted them why didn't you drill 2 little holes in the clip and weld them together the that way they will never come off

 

[Garth_S3]

Before you painted them why didn't you drill 2 little holes in the clip and weld them together the that way they will never come off

Simply because it doesn't need it. Super steel is an incredible adhesive, if you search for it you can probably still find a very old video that showed an old Toyota Corolla being picked up by a hook that was glued to its roof using not much more adhesive than I used on these clips!

If my clips ever separate, I'll eat my own **** ;-)

 

[Jimmy TDI]

Nicely done sir.

Could you please send me the template diagram.

Cheers Jim

 

[ruffrida]

Nice 1 Gareth, looks very nice, but i would be worried about that super steal , a good weld would of been better!!

 

[Garth_S3]

Nicely done sir.

Could you please send me the template diagram.

Cheers Jim

Sure, pm me your email address and I'll send it later on

 

[Garth_S3]

Nice 1 Gareth, looks very nice, but i would be worried about that super steal , a good weld would of been better!!

Not necessarily better. The clip is steel, the new part is stainless and welding is always the week point as far as rust is concerned. Since this part is not load bearing, there really is no need to weld.

I really posted this thread to help others out, so if anyone wants to replicate then they can weld theirs. I am more than happy how mine turned out and from experience, I am in no way worried about the strength of what I have done. Although I have access to welding equipment, most people don't and the way I have done it, literally anyone can copy

 

[Jimmy TDI]

Pmd, cheers.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Well done, nice bit of fabrication work - thats what I like to see!

 

[Lucas-audi]

Hi mate can u sent me the template diagram
You need 3 posts to add links to your

 

[jay1601]

Sorry to bump an old thread.

Does anyone still have the template they could send me

Thanks Jay

 

[Dani_B19]

Would also like the template please.

 

[jay1601]

Managed to find these cheap on eBay, bought some S4 stickers for £4 job done

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-S3-20...418827?hash=item4d672c00cb:g:tYAAAOSwWo5bfBNC

 

[Dani_B19]

Jay you legend. Was searching all night and couldnt find anything

Thanks.

 

[boffin486]

Yippee Doo!!!! Now I don't have to make them (like I planned to), just buy & fit (painted & stickered of course). Brill!!
Now, the ebay listing fitment details say they won't fit my A4 Avant TFSi Quattro........ But They look the same to me. Bought some anyway.......

 

[jay1601]

Only just getting round to uploading some pics they are 100% same and will fit

 

[marcinx2011]

Would also like the template please. Contact /pw. THANKS!