I just went to JustBrakes and they said I needed to have my front brake calipers rebuilt for $178. I have a 2000, with 105k on it. I can get a rebuildkit from Toyota for $78. How hard is it? Do I need any special tools. I am a decent shade tree mechanic, but how many banannas is this job? has anyone done it? thanks in advance.
Brake Caliper rebuilds?
- Thread starter freeheel720
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Depending on where your at, Most states require the shop to provide the specs for failure. DON'T BE RIPPED OFF! You need calipers rebuilt? Why? Are they leaking? Are they stuck? Or are you getting a "lifetime warranty" set of brake pads? With the last, most shops "upsell" you because their giving you a free set of pads and must make up the difference. I spent 20 years in the auto repair biz and saw a lot of crap. If you really need rebuilds, make them prove it by taking you out in the shop with the tires off and showing you the failure. If you have no mechanical ability and don't know the caliper from the rotor, find someone you trust and take them with you. If the brake fluid is clean and the system is in good order, I'd bet you don't need them rebuilt.
Sorry, I was venting
breathing.... there! 
Sorry, I was venting
breathing.... there! - Thread starter
- #3
They claimed my caliper was siezing, which inturn caused my rotors to warp, and caused excessive brake pad wear. what do you think? can I test them myself to see if they are correct?
LandCruiser rotors warp. Period. What % of your driving is "in town"? If you spend 90% of your time driving across town stuck in traffic, on & off the brakes, you can count on pads every 20,000 miles or so. If your a two footed driver, with your left on the brake pedal, decrease that. And as far as calipers siezing? One I can see, but both at the same time?
Just curious, why did you go there? Coupon? Add in the paper? Why didn't you go to your "usual" mechanic?
Just curious, why did you go there? Coupon? Add in the paper? Why didn't you go to your "usual" mechanic?
- Thread starter
- #5
I went there because he was the cheapest. Also, I am my "usual" mechanic. The local guy I take my truck to when it is over my head was tottally clueless, he kept insisting the rotors would just pop off, which told me he knew nothing. I have a Tacoma with 260k on it and i only take it to mechanics for electrical problems. it has been to one mechanic in the 100k miles i have had it.
The rotors come off from the back side of the hub, which means you have to remove the hub, bearings, caliper... Which has to be done anyway to turn them on a lathe unless you have a "on-car" lathe. If your just replacing them, same thing. If your "local guy" can't take a set of hubs off a 4x4, try looking around for another. Besides, the wheel bearing need to be packed anyway at 100k
We get customers ALL DAY LONG coming in, saying that their local brake/tire shop (or Pep Boys..etc..) told them that they "need" calipers to complete the brake job... When in actuality, maybe 1-2 % of those vehicles really require replacement or rebuilding.
Toyota calipers are EXTREMELY reliable, and frequently outlast the vehicle itself
In other words...get a second opinion before doing the calipers..
Oh..and avoid 3rd party "rebuilt" units...you will more than likely have bigger problems later down the road ..
Toyota calipers are EXTREMELY reliable, and frequently outlast the vehicle itself
In other words...get a second opinion before doing the calipers..
Oh..and avoid 3rd party "rebuilt" units...you will more than likely have bigger problems later down the road ..
I don't know guys, I am really questioning the bad caliper diagnosis. Recently, I have been having an issue with my driver side front, inside break pad showing signs of major wear as opposed to the others. The other three are wearing at the same rate but the driver side inner is much more worn and the feeling of rotor warp has been more noticeable lately and my wheel alignment all of a sudden went out. I am kind of thinking that the caliper might be sticking, which in turn is holding the pad against the rotor which is causing the wear and also the warpage and the alignment. What do you guys think?
