Rebuild or Replace - Brake Calipers

[thedoughboy]

Just finished a front axle service and noticed my calipers need some love. They are original and have 200,000 miles on them. This includes 200,000 of road grime. If I rebuild them I'd like to clean and paint them at the same time. So, my question is:

Does anyone have experience with the calipers Autozone sells? They Duralast- Reman for $50.

are http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...1tw5Z8knro?itemIdentifier=152007_410349_5913_

Given the time to clean, paint and rebuild my calipers the $50 sounds inviting. However, I don't want them if they are going to cause more issues down the road. I know some re-manufactured hydraulic parts can be pieces or junk!

Your input is much appreciated!!!

 

[jonheld]

So your calipers are dirty and you want to throw them out? When you get low on fuel do you hang a 4 sale sign on her?

 

[Reelitchy]

So your calipers are dirty and you want to throw them out? When you get low on fuel do you hang a 4 sale sign on her?

Lol

I bought remans all around but have only been running them for a few months. Original ones were frozen and corroded . I already had the truck down for awhile getting her up to par and didn't have the time to clean-derust and rebuild originals.(would have liked too). I had no problems with install etc but make sure you open up the box and all hardware is inside. You may even want to keep the core and rebuild for yourself for later. I had no leaks etc but you should flush the system before u remove old ones

 

[Flank]

My take on rebuilding calipers is this - if you want to know how to do it and have the time, do it. I don't have experience with the remans, but I suspect they may be a crap shoot. Last I checked (about 4 years ago) a rebuild kit for both fronts ran about $30 from Toyota.

It is a dirty job, it takes quite a bit of time (with cleaning and then rebuilding, prob 2 or so hours) is and dirty as hell (but who cares, you just did an axle job, right?)

What I would do differently is this - I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed to get the calipers clean and they never were to my liking but I lived with it. 4 Wheel Parts and some other places have a rust soak solution where you just plop them in the heated solution and walk away for a while, come back and the rust is eaten off and nice shiny metal is all that is left, ready for de-grease and paint.
I did not repaint mine.

 

[powermad]

If they have been rebuilt as part of brake maintenance then they're not bad.
If you have a lot of miles on them you most likely will spend hours rebuilding them only to have them leak.

That is how mine went, $50 ea for NAPA remans and they were like new and in stock.
New hardware, pistons and a decent finish.

 

[half k cruiser]

Its not that difficult to rebuild them, but its a mess. Cleaning them sucks pretty bad as there is lots of little corrosion on everything. As others have said, with 200k you may rebuild only to have them leak after. I would do some remanufactured ones. I thought that you could get refurbished from Toyota, but not sure. Maybe Dan or Beno could chime in on that.

 

[DRTDuck]

any reason to rebuild if they are not sticking and have not performance issues?

 

[Howard705]

Another little tip when buying reman calipers for anything like this-keep old calipers off a chevy or something laying around-turn these in for cores later and keep your LC cores for spares. The parts guys never check or know what they should be-or even care. Just don't do it when you pick up your new ones.

 

[thedoughboy]

any reason to rebuild if they are not sticking and have not performance issues?

When I serviced the front axle I noticed one of the rubber boots was torn. The others seemed pretty compromised. Also, like I said, 200,000 miles of grime. I replaced the front rotors with OEM from CDan (Thanks Dan!) but still get some pulsing in the pedal. Not all the time, about 40-50%. I have noticed an inconsistency in brake pad wear during previous brake jobs. The calipers seem like they could use a rebuild. I don't believe it has ever been done. I got the rig with 64,000 and I know it hasn't been done since I've owned it.

Anyways, I appreciate all the feedback. Keep it coming if you are so inclined!

 

[mtrdud]

NAPA is what I used. To heck with rebuilding them. Also consider a larger double diaphram and master cylinder upgrade too. I redid my brakes all around in my 83 p/u and I'm very happy with the performance.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[half k cruiser]

Don't forget to fill the caliper with brake fluid before you put the line on it. I use a syringe to get it in there. Otherwise you will be bleeding them 4 EVER !

 

[jonheld]

As others have said, with 200k you may rebuild only to have them leak after.

I'm curious as to what leaks people are getting. The rebuild kit comes with new piston seals. Unless the side of the pistons are totally chewed up, nothing else can leak.

 

[jcardona1]

The hell with rebuilding. $60 for my NAPA remans and they're working great

 

[OGBeno]

Another little tip when buying reman calipers for anything like this-keep old calipers off a chevy or something laying around-turn these in for cores later and keep your LC cores for spares. The parts guys never check or know what they should be-or even care. Just don't do it when you pick up your new ones.

Well, you won't be getting core money back because I do check.

For Toyota, it needs to be a Toyota core coming back or no core refund.

 

[thedoughboy]

OK, since I have your attention.

What about the brake lines. My originals need to be replaced as they are showing fatigue. That is the rubber has slight cracking around the connection/flex points. I know I can go with the SLEE ones but $ is tight. Any luck with the Napa ones?

 

[jcardona1]

OK, since I have your attention.

What about the brake lines. My originals need to be replaced as they are showing fatigue. That is the rubber has slight cracking around the connection/flex points. I know I can go with the SLEE ones but $ is tight. Any luck with the Napa ones?

My two pennies, stick with OEM for brake lines. Expensive but worth it. They'll last you another two decades easily. If you need extended frame-to-axle lines for taller lifts you can also run OEM, using lines from different trucks.

 

[Howard705]

Beno the cores are just for the aftermarket places-they look and see a caliper or whatever-same with alternators/etc. At a shop they may just come every week and pick up all your cores and as long as the boxes have a part they go.

 

[OGBeno]

Gotcha sir.

 

[toddsmith1]

You can get remans from Advance Auto for $62.00 for BOTH! ($31 each side) I used them and they are good quality and have been on my truck for over 6 months with absolutely no problems.
You have to use a coupon code that you can find by using Google. $40.00 off a $100.00 purchase.

 

[jcardona1]

You can get remans from Advance Auto for $62.00 for BOTH! ($31 each side) I used them and they are good quality and have been on my truck for over 6 months with absolutely no problems.
You have to use a coupon code that you can find by using Google. $40.00 off a $100.00 purchase.

Nice tip! Only downside is needing to pay return shipping for the cores since there's no stores in my area.

Coupon code btw: TRT41