DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Stupidly, to sort out a stuck piston, I decided to split one of my rear calipers.

This resulted in chopping out a pair of the socket-cap bolts that hold the two sides of the caliper together.

To be fair, they did have rounded off Allen key sockets, which is why I 'had to' chop them out!

Yes, I know.... stupid boy....

Does anyone have an old junk caliper that I could 'borrow' a pair of nuts and bolts from please (I only need two of the four)?

The bolts I need are:

1 off, M7 x 60 mm (overall 65 mm)
1 off, M7 x 65 mm (overall 70 mm)
2 off, M7 nuts (11mm spanner)

Prepared to pay of course...

Thanks for looking

I have an old set of VW Beetle callipers not sure what size the bolts are on those?

Failing that have you tried Classic Car Automotive, who refurbish these - they must have a stock of them?

Or have you got an FWB near you - they stock a wide selection of nuts/bolts/fasteners.

Thanks for the Classicar Automotive tip - pity they haven't included their contact details on their website, at least that I can see, though I found their tel number elsewhere easy enough.

If you get stuck I can give FWB a ring down here and see what they have and then send them up to you?

That's very kind of you - I'll shout if I need. I was meant to call them today... but still hoping that someone might have some originals knocking around....

Classicar Automotive were very helpful, but were waiting for stock of the same size bolts. He kindly gave me his supplier contact Thomas Smith Fasteners in Wigan, who are looking into it. The 65 mm thread is not available, the next one up is 70 mm thread. Fingers crossed.

Would still like a set of original bolts from a caliper if anyone see this...

Incidentally, the current price for caliper restoration is 93+VAT each.

I would say the M7 and M9 Ribe bolts and nut's are unobtanium, I've seen some wanted ad's but never seen a for sale ad.
It is important when you losen them to hold the Ribe end and turn on the nut end, and never do the opposite. Do not use allen key, only use the correct tool/bit for Ribe.


They are beautiful. Here after black oxide treatment, which is just an oil carrier.

Didn't notice the markings, never heard of Ribe type.

In my caliper, I had a pair of those Ribe bolts and a pair of hex sockets. The heads on the hex pair were rounded, so obviously had been messed with in the past.

In any case, a pair of hex heads will do the trick if I cannot obtain a pair of originals. These guys have hex socket versions, in Germany, are my back up plan.

https://www.tola-tools.de/en/bolts-nuts ... et-Screws/
https://www.tola-tools.de/en/bolts-nuts/Muttern/

I don't think anyone will send you to Coventry if you use nice fresh new hex socket cap head bolts for these calipers.
Even if you get those weird originals you need the right key to torque them up etc, what a pain.

Why not contact the well advertised company that offer the caliper rebuild service and ask their advice?

911hillclimber wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:17 pm Why not contact the well advertised company that offer the caliper rebuild service and ask their advice?

Already mentioned earlier that Classicar Automotive had been contacted but were out of stock ...

.

Missed that..
So those German ones are the only choice?
Wonder why you would choose M7?

Possibly used M7's because 8 were a bit chunky and 6 were a bit weedy?

Another good question might be, why the heck would they use a Ribe head - perhaps these were a predecessor of the Torx/star and spline heads?

Luckily, the Torx bit fits the Ribe well enough...

If you have ever had the misfortune to take an exploded 996 engine apart (I can only speak about that engine), they have a bizarre mix of star and spline bits and sockets, and (unusual size) hex heads and hex sockets. Needless to say, I had to buy a few new bits and spanners to deal with it... most of which will never be used again...

Bump on spare 2 x M7x70 nuts bolts for M-calipers, anyone, perhaps from a junk caliper?

NLA at Tola-tools (…sorry Mr, these bolts will not be available any more. Production price has gone over 1200 €/100 pcs, so we have to cancel sale for them…), and Thomas Smith are only having 60's made..

Thanks for looking

Just use hex socket head bolts for now as a temporary fix and look out for a 2nd hand caliper?

I wish that were possible, but the socket heads are countersunk into the caliper at one side so the hex heads won't fit. Potentially, some grinding of the head might do the trick, but I might have found some socket heads on Ebay, albeit £10 each!

Thanks for your suggestion!