Brake Piston Stuck (LX450) Options? (1 Viewer)

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IronCladLou

IronCladLou

Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Threads
13
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Location
Knoxville, TN
Replaced the brake pads on my newly-acquired LX450 today. Everything went great with the exception of the right front. The lower, outside piston is stuck. Neither my largest pair of Channel-locks nor a c-clamp would budge it. The other nine went back in fine...

Does anyone have a good method for retracting a stuck piston? Are rebuilt calipers readily available? Source?

TIA...
 
NAPA has rebuilt calipers for about $50 (with like a $90 core charge)
 
Did you try to put a piece of wood between the pads and start up the engine and press the brake pedal to try and free it? If that doesn't work I would change the caliper. Because with that much fluid pressure behind it is not gonna come out with hand tools or compressed without damage and will most likely have some severe rust pitting possibly in the bore or piston.
 
I can share some experience from a completely different car but I hope this helps. I have a 1967 Mercedes SL and brake calipers have a tendency to seize over time if not used frequently (as in car stored for 10 years).

When my right front caliper seized, the piston was frozen in place and it was impossible to make it move in any direction. My solution was simple... I took the caliper out and left it sitting in the parts washer soaked in penetrating oil (PB Blaster) for at least two or three days. I would add oil on it a couple times a day (in the morning before going to work, in the afternoon when getting back, etc). After that, I took it out, cleaned it, and placed it in the vice to be able to hit it with a 4 lb mallet (brass piece in between) to make it move and voila! I had a working caliper again.

Since my car is a collector's vehicle, I did not want to go with a replacement. In the long run, the brakes would not work perfectly and I eventually had the OEM piece rebuilt by sending it out to a remanufacturing store that would guarantee I'd get the same set back. If you are not hung up on this, and you can get a rebuilt spending $50, I'd say go for it.
 
You can get rebuilt calipers from Toyota. My parts guy couldn't find them in the system at first. All he could get was new calipers. I got him the part number for the rebuilt calipers and he was able to order them no problem.
I'd only consider rebuilt toyota calipers. I had to buy a rear caliper from a parts store cause I needed it right then to get it on the road and a week later you can see surface rust forming on it.
Toyota rebuilds didn't do that
 
Thanks for the responses. I found some rebuilt calipers on Rockauto for about $70, but I like the Toyota rebuild option better. I toyed with the idea of pulling the caliper and getting drastic with the piston (I've rebuilt calipers myself before, but none have had a frozen piston like this). My driver's side caliper is pretty rough also (bleed screw was difficult to open), so I'm leaning towards some rebuilt units. I put some serious force into this piston and it didn't budge, so who knows what the seal, etc. looks like.

The good news is that a new set of pads and completely flushing the system really improved the brake system feel and performance. I'm liking this thing more and more...
 
FWIW I was not really impressed with my Toyota Remans, they came bare... But in talks with a few others theirs came semi-loaded, Russian roulette maybe? Heard of a few seizing up on guys after install, no quality control for the price of them...

I replaced my seized rear callipers with Raybestos cuz I was in a jam but next time I might try BA as I've heard good things about them.
 
I have to agree. The fronts I got were in great shape. One of the rears I got was actually brand new. However the other rear was in bad shape. Black corrosion all over the pistons. The frame was very gouged either from impacts or corrosion. However, Toyota let me return it for another which I haven't recieved yet. So, generally good experiences, but still I would expect better than 3 out of 4 from Toyota. I'd rebuild them myself if I had it to do over.
 
FWIW, I called the local Toyota dealer and they told me that rebuilt calipers were not available, but that they would be more than willing to sell me new calipers for $368 each. I declined.

I then called up my local Advance Auto parts and they had rebuilt calipers in stock for $51 each. Sold! I may regret it, but they look perfectly fine to me.

I don't typically go for the FLAPS option as finding parts for my other automotive project (a '76 911) never involves Advance Auto...
 
beno said:
Your dealer is wrong.
Click to expand...

You clearly need someone like the above....

I see your stateside now, Welcome Back :flipoff2:

I would of had the part numbers on hand and said oh yea?! then what are these numbers! lol
 
Got my replacement rear caliper. It is either new or in great shape.
 
Yeah, I actually returned the obvious reman they gave me hoping that would happen. Muahahahahah!
 
I would just rebuild the genuine calipers you already have. Unless there is an obvious floor with them. 99% of the time its the pitted and rusty pistons that's the problem. Toyota genuine pistons are good and last 10 times longer than the Chinese junk everyone uses. But genuine are very expensive. The other and cheaper option is the 316 stainless steel replacement pistons that last a lifetime.
 
TheBigBoy said:
I would just rebuild the genuine calipers you already have. Unless there is an obvious floor with them. 99% of the time its the pitted and rusty pistons that's the problem. Toyota genuine pistons are good and last 10 times longer than the Chinese junk everyone uses. But genuine are very expensive. The other and cheaper option is the 316 stainless steel replacement pistons that last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

Agree, mine were really pitted and rusted in tight. split the calipers and get to work with a large pair of grips and work it out. They do come eventually (takes a lot of effort). They clean up well, new pistons are pricey but the new seals are quite reasonable.
 
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