BMW caliper frustration, They're not squeezing Options

[Carlitos Way]

So, I installed a "rebuilt" set of 320i calipers that bought on evilbay. They had already been machined to take care of the clearance. Bolted them right up, went to bleed the system... and all of a sudden I find out that the pads are not squeezing together. There's fluid coming into the caliper, since I can bleed them... but the brake pedal is not getting any harder... and I'm not seeing that the pads are getting anywhere.

I'm guessing the calipers might have one of two problems. Either lack of lubrication from sitting around for a few weeks, or paint has dried on them (they were painted when I bought them).

Anybody got a suggestion to make 'em squeeze? Am I SOL with these?

Thanks,

Carlos

[lapuwali]

Do gravity bleed: take a section of clear tubing, attach it to the bleeder screw, dangle it over the fender and into the open trunk. Put the end in a bottle if you're paranoid. Remove the cap from the reservior. Fill the reservoir completely. Open the bleeder. Put a board or brick or something on the brake pedal to hold it to the floor. Wait for awhile. If you watch, you'll see fluid rise slowly in the tube. After a bit, you should see some bubbles in the tube. You may also see bubbles in the MC reservoir. The fluid in the tube will stop rising once it reaches the level in the reservoir. Add fluid as necessary. Close the bleeder and repeat on the other caliper.

It would be best to do this AFTER you replace the MC. Replacing this really isn't that hard, it's just a knuckle buster.

If the gravity bleed method doesn't get you some brakes, with at least a medium pedal (not firm, not squishy), then there's something wrong with the calipers or the MC. The calipers may be frozen.