Benefits Of A Brake Caliper Rebuild

[Craved]

Hey,

Just curious regarding the benifts of a caliper rebuild.

I understand that it can fix uneven pad wear (notice some have one side of a brake pad worn more than the other) are there any other benefits of rebuilding a caliper that isnt leaking?

Cheers

[Beer Baron]

well sometimes even if they are not leaking the dust boots may be shot, so it will fix that. it's really just good preventative maintenence if you are doing it even though there is no real problem.

also, you are a handy guy, maybe have a crack at it yourself. and rebuilt kit should only be $100 max for nissan sumitomo calipers. includes dust boots, dust boot rings and piston seals.

[Sydneykid]

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, it attracts water. Over time you can get a build up of sludge (water + brake fluid = sludge) in the calliper itself that doesn't bleed out. This lowers the boiling point of the fluid, plus it takes away some pedal feel. It also accelerates corrosion of the pistons and bores.

Cheers

Gary

[Roy]

Yeh, and things like pistons that bind can mean pads can drag on rotors causign uneven heat and possible cracking. Perhaps that counts for why some of us have problmes with cracking rotors. AQfter a hard drive i have noticed on some ppls cars at the track that the inner and outer rotor faces are not the same colour. Even allowing for different inner and outer cooling it could be pads dragging.

Its piss easy and cheap to do. I have done it more times then i care to remember. Only thing is its a dirty job and much easier if you hgave access to a compressed air gun

[Craved]

Richard,

If you can show me who has a full set of 4 rebuild kits (front and rear) for $100 i'll be happy as lizard in the sun lol, from what i have read in my searches prior to making this thread $150 -$160 for all 4 seems the going rate.

Gary,

Cheers, thats something i hadnt considered with the sludge build up, but couldnt a strip down and a wash out with water then drying help clean out the sludge without the need to rebuild? or is there more im not understanding?

i guess unless you split them there is no wa the guarantee they are clean inside.

Still for $160 its cheaper than a front set of RB74's so its not too bad a preventative as Richard said.

Roy,

Mate, thats what i was thinkiing of with the uneven wear comment - pad drag - which is somethign i believe i have with theleading edge of the pads always getting worn first - which can be misleading cos if you just look through the wheel to check the pad life, you never look from the bottom.

As for piss easy, i certainly looks like it and i'll definately be doing this myself. Just looking for helpful information on the WHY of it instead of the how much every other thread about rebuilds was about

Cheers guys, and further reasons its a good idea post em up

[Sydneykid]

Richard,

If you can show me who has a full set of 4 rebuild kits (front and rear) for $100 i'll be happy as lizard in the sun lol, from what i have read in my searches prior to making this thread $150 -$160 for all 4 seems the going rate.

Gary,

Cheers, thats something i hadnt considered with the sludge build up, but couldnt a strip down and a wash out with water then drying help clean out the sludge without the need to rebuild? or is there more im not understanding?

i guess unless you split them there is no wa the guarantee they are clean inside.

Still for $160 its cheaper than a front set of RB74's so its not too bad a preventative as Richard said.

Roy,

Mate, thats what i was thinkiing of with the uneven wear comment - pad drag - which is somethign i believe i have with theleading edge of the pads always getting worn first - which can be misleading cos if you just look through the wheel to check the pad life, you never look from the bottom.

As for piss easy, i certainly looks like it and i'll definately be doing this myself. Just looking for helpful information on the WHY of it instead of the how much every other thread about rebuilds was about

Cheers guys, and further reasons its a good idea post em up

I have found that 9 times out 10 when you pull the calliper pistons you damage the seals on the crap build up on the outer part of the bore that is not used. Once you clean everything, put new seals and whack some calliper grease on them, the pistons slide straight in.

Cheers

Gary

[Craved]

cheers Gary

i have dismantled a spare set of rear calipers and that last 10mm or so was definatley more resistant than the used area.

[PT]

just ordered a kit in SA (All Clutch and Brake) fronts were $40 per corner, rears needed to be ordered not sure on price but will be less than the fronts. (ABS wanted twice this price)

[Beer Baron]

sorry Chris, I was thinking just to do 2 calipers.

you want something like this: