Thoughts on Z1 Motorsports
 

Just wondering everyones thoughts on purchasing parts from Z1. I am currently going through a bad experience with them and they dont seem to want to help. I ordered the akebono brake upgrade kit from them for my base 370, and have had nothing but problems. The first time i tried to install the brakes, i did it with 2 professional auto mechanics (and I am not new to doing brakes myself. I installed all parts smoothly untill i noticeds one of the banjo bolts did not catch the threads in one of the front calipers. We tryed multiple different things and could not get it to bolt up. At this point we thought maybe we stripped it by accident, even though it shouldnt be easy to do that. We took it to a machine shop and I had it rethreaded, as soon as I went to install it again the bolt would not get tight enough to secure the brake line, and we took it back. We had it rethreaded again, $200 later. We installed the brake with the other banjo bolt and it went smoothly, finally the brake was on. We went to go install the other front caliper and we had the same problem. The bolt would not tighten and the threads eventually stripped. We were more than careful about stripping it again after the first time. I have been trying to get Z1 to help out and they are no help. They will not give a refund, they will not do anything to help out, even though their bolt is responsible for over $400 worth of damage on my brand new brakes. This should not be the case when you spend almost $2000 on a brake kit. They keep telling me they will call me back and have yet to do so. I am not happy at all with my experience with them. I am out $2000 and still do not have my brakes on my car. Also, the rotors they gave me rust INSTANTLY and squeak louder than any other brakes Ive ever heard.

Has anyone else had a bad experience with z1 or installing akebono brakes?

Oh boy, Ive heard nothing but good things about them, I hope everything gets resolved fast as you said if (its not a user error) its unacceptable. They should back their product and or have you drive the car to them so they can install it for Free or Swap them. GoodlUck

EDIT:

I've re-read this a few times now

1. Paragraphs people.

2. 2 professional auto mechanics didn't check the fit of all the lines before trying to bolt it on your car?

3. If you checked before hand and it didn't fit up snug, THAT'S when you should've sent it back. Not gone out to a shop to modify them.

4. Your auto mechanic friends don't have a tap and die set? Harbor Freight sells them for $50.

5. Sorry, welcome to modifying your car. Now that you modified them, I don't expect Z1 to help. Also, how was your attitude when you called? Most people call enraged... There isn't $400 of profit in the brakes, I wouldn't expect $400 back from them

6. Discs are cast iron, they rust. Apply some high temp black paint

Ive been trying, i know they are in a tough spot as well because it seems like it was a user error but at this point im ready to give up on these brakes, ive spent way too much for just sport brakes now and theyre still not on!

Which banjo bolt? Pic?

Im not 100% sure what the problem is, it really seems to me that one of the banjo bolts they sold me is either too short or the threads are bad because this bolt has stripped both calipers its been in. It wont catch correctly, it doesnt fully tighten and will just keep turning. Im sure installing calipers shouldnt be this much of a pain, but im not happy at all. After spending $1900 on a brake kit id expect it to be backed up by the company i bought it from.

Just looking at it, it looks fine. Just seems to tear up the threads in the caliper.

I have seen that happen with other calipers (I rebuild and refinish them for a living). Its not an uncommon problem for aluminum threads to strip. Happens a lot on front right C5 corvette calipers and on Camaro brembo bleed screws. Could be machining from the factory or getting the bleed screw just a little cockeyed. However, once you had them rethreaded, that probably ruined the caliper for good. You could have the hole drilled out and a helicoil or time-sert installed though.

Get an M10x1.0 nut from Home Depot or Lowes and see if the banjo bolt smoothly screws into it. If it does, that is not your problem. If it doesn't, you'll have something more to present to them.

i don't like the tone of this post or title. Just to cut to the chase good luck trying to paint Z1 as the bad guys here. Z1 is probably the most beloved company on these forums along with Fast intentions. I've been around here since 2008.

I don't see any issue since you didn't return them and modified them. If it didn't fit I would have called. Not gotten so frustrated to pay extra. Maybe you got a dud product it's possible. Tell them your sending them back or demand refund before you try and modify them.

Agree. Only positive feedbacks even from my side

Never had anything but good experiences with Z1; and their customer service if very responsive.

Mike thank you i was actually thinking of getting a rethread kit with a helicoil. Only thing is im afraid that wont stay esp with the pressure of brake fluid going through the line. I appreciate the advice i will let you know how it goes if i go that route

Im sorry you dont like the tone of this thread, but you are not the one with the bad experience. I am not trying to paint z1 as bad guys, just asking for feedback as i am not happy with the end result of the products they have sold me. Idk if you have ever spend a couple thousand dollars on parts only for them not to work, but it is very frustrating. Z1 hasnt been able to do anything for me at all, not even a slight discount for new calipers (which i shouldnt need but will.) I even said I know they are in a tough spot but they have not been good at all with calling me back when they say they will or even slightly making me feel better about this situation. I guess i should just keep it to myself if i have a bad experience just because everyone else had a good one.

Thanks for the feedback. The bolts fit fine without the calipers being on the car. And z1 told me on the phone before i ordered that all i would need was these banjo bolts to install.

I did call z1 and explain the situation before modifying, and they told me they cannot help me with the threads not being good. Also, my stock brakes were beyond anything useable, so i told them i didnt have time and I had to get this fixed asap. Bottom line who likes spending a couple thousand on brand new parts to have them be no good. My question was what was everyones experience like with z1 and akebono brakes? Not oh z1 is terrible. I agree they are in a tough spot but im not happy either way. I hope thats understandable

I have dealt with Z1 many times and and every time went smoothly.