Sand calipers, this is not a productive post.

**Tekime** · 05-02-18, 02:46 PM

While I generally have good luck with eBay, I have the occasional shit packing job or messed up item. This one takes the cake though.

As shown on eBay:

Aaand what they actually sent me today:

I'm trying really hard to understand how they wrapped these up with 3lbs of sand, drenched in brake fluid, and were just like "hey, looks good"

**keeena** · 05-02-18, 02:47 PM

Haha! I'm sorry to laugh, but DAMN!

I have 2 or 3 sets of those calipers. You want a set (no charge)? It was worth the laugh.

**Tekime** · 05-02-18, 02:57 PM

Haha, thanks man.. hopefully they make things right but wow I might take you up on that.

**TheIglu** · 05-02-18, 03:12 PM

Wow. Just wow.

I thought it was bad when I ordered a GSXR head off ebay, and the wrong one arrived, with the cams loose in the journals banging around the whole trip. Luckily I had a video shaking the box before I even opened it to demonstrate the metal on metal banging sound. The seller wasn't happy.

**Tekime** · 05-02-18, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Wow. Just wow.

I thought it was bad when I ordered a GSXR head off ebay, and the wrong one arrived, with the cams loose in the journals banging around the whole trip. Luckily I had a video shaking the box before I even opened it to demonstrate the metal on metal banging sound. The seller wasn't happy.

Ouch. Such a waste. Worst experience before this was when I actually watched the FedEx girl body slam a gas tank I ordered, crushing the fuel pump/sender in the process. I was able to save it, and hopefully she worked out her issues..

Think I found a pic of the seller:

**aldend123** · 05-02-18, 03:48 PM

I wonder if that 'sand' is really the surface coating on the caliper that got peeled off by left over brake fluid in the caliper that came out during shipment.

Otherwise, I don't see how you could even wrap that in plastic without some of the 'sand' falling off. And who wouldn't at least try to run it under a sink first unless they hate you.

**Tekime** · 05-02-18, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by aldend123

I wonder if that 'sand' is really the surface coating on the caliper that got peeled off by left over brake fluid in the caliper that came out during shipment.

Otherwise, I don't see how you could even wrap that in plastic without some of the 'sand' falling off. And who wouldn't at least try to run it under a sink first unless they hate you.

You sir, may be a genius.

It really looks like sand... and there's a lot. But after taking a sample under a jeweler's lens and squishing it around under some paper it isn't really that "gritty" at all.

So maybe seller wasn't a jerk or a maniac, but just sloppy and didn't drain the fluid. Very strange phenomenon nonetheless.

**nhbubba** · 05-03-18, 05:50 AM

**Paul_E_D** · 05-03-18, 06:32 AM

Looks like sand to my jeweler's eye. LOL

**Falko** · 05-03-18, 07:36 AM

Silicon based brake fluid is my bet.

**capitalcrew** · 05-03-18, 07:41 AM

Horrendous either way lol.

**Paul_E_D** · 05-03-18, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Falko

Silicon based brake fluid is my bet.

So it turned back into sand? wild.

**Falko** · 05-03-18, 08:31 AM

Hard to tell, between the corrosive properties and the aluminum, the result is a bunch of oxides in a poke. Either way, it sucks.

**TwelveGaugeSage** · 05-03-18, 08:39 AM

That looks like oxidation caused by the hygroscopic brake fluid. My guess would be that the brake fluid sucked in so much water that it gelled. The water corroded the parts, and then when it evaporated you get what you see there left behind.

See: https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledi...ottom-comments

**butcher bergs** · 05-03-18, 08:49 AM

Clearly those are nanobots!

**Falko** · 05-03-18, 08:51 AM

At least this isn't a Volkswagen post and someone got sand in their VAG.

**TheIglu** · 05-03-18, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Falko

At least this isn't a Volkswagen post and someone got sand in their VAG.

Can't be VAG, no CEL in the bag.

**Tekime** · 05-03-18, 10:48 AM

Thank you science side of NESR

So the question now is - would you rebuild them? Hopefully the corrosion was limited to the coating... Seller offered me 50% refund to keep them and I said sure why not. 100% refund would have been more appropriate but it's not worth getting twisted up over $50.

Really just wanted to get them on the bike so I could get to prepping the DR for some trails!!

**MattR302** · 05-03-18, 11:11 AM

As long as the pads have enough meat, they should pass tech - I'd run em as-is.

**TheIglu** · 05-03-18, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Tekime

Thank you science side of NESR

So the question now is - would you rebuild them? Hopefully the corrosion was limited to the coating... Seller offered me 50% refund to keep them and I said sure why not. 100% refund would have been more appropriate but it's not worth getting twisted up over $50.

Really just wanted to get them on the bike so I could get to prepping the DR for some trails!!

Absolutely not. I'd send them back. You can get working ones for FREE here as someone already graciously offered.

The cost to rebuild them will likely add up to the full purchase price again.

Demand your full money back and send them back. Those things are garbage.

**Kurlon** · 05-03-18, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Absolutely not. I'd send them back. You can get working ones for FREE here as someone already graciously offered.

The cost to rebuild them will likely add up to the full purchase price again.

Demand your full money back and send them back. Those things are garbage.

I agree with Clayton on this one.

That said, if you decided you like to live expensively I've got an ultrasonic cleaner that'll fit those calipers.

**nhbubba** · 05-03-18, 11:31 AM

Brush off the crud. Hose with brake cleaner. Dunk 5 or 6 hundred times in the ultrasonic. Final pre-assembly clean-down with WD. Spend that $50 on a seal kit. And I becha they'll be good 'nuf.

Maybe some fresh paint, if feeing ambitious.

**keeena** · 05-03-18, 11:59 AM

Total waste of time to clean those. They are trash, return them.

[Edit] Take your pick...they are immaculate

Sand calipers, this is not a productive post.-img_20151016_234428_619-jpg

**Tekime** · 05-03-18, 11:59 AM

Pads have a lot of meat, maybe 70-80%, so I took the 50% refund. Don't have to deal with shipping and worst case I have some spare pads for $25. For some reason I just hate dealing with that crap for 5 minutes, but I'll spend 5 hours rebuilding shitty old calipers apparently.. :/

Really only considering a rebuild because I was going to do it anyway (13 year old calipers) - just not right away. Also playing with a powder coating setup so this might be a good candidate. Brushed them off and the pistons/seals don't look half bad actually... I could probably just run them Squidward style but I'll stick with 03 1000 calipers for now.

Originally Posted by Kurlon

I agree with Clayton on this one.

That said, if you decided you like to live expensively I've got an ultrasonic cleaner that'll fit those calipers.

Being a dumbass, I may take you up on that. My ultrasonic is tiny.

**RandyO** · 05-03-18, 12:09 PM

did they come to you on a slow boat from china in a leaky cargo hold ?

Sand calipers, this is not a productive post.

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