brake calipers opinion needed. A1 Cardone vs NAPA eclipse - Toyota 4Runner Forum

kacper · 04-14-2015, 11:46 PM

I need to replace my driver side caliper.

I've got A1 Cardone rebulid caliper today. When I got home fortunately I have inspected all 4 pistons and boots. I've noticed many scratches on pistons even more i than I have on my old ones. Also one dust boot is ripped off because someone installed this metal clip wrong. I'm going to return that piece of shit back.

Cardone are 30$ cheaper and having a 12 month warranty

Napa gives my lifetime warranty If I good remember

What is yours opinion about napa calipers? Are they ok?
How does life time warranty works? When they got seized up I just need to bring them back and I'll get a new set ?

46runner · 04-15-2015, 06:10 AM

I have the NAPAs on the rears now for about 3 months. I think they only allow you to exchange it one time under the warranty.

radlynx · 04-15-2015, 10:32 AM

I replaced my front using Cardone reman and so far, the 4 pistons are still okay. that was around 40k miles ago.

so I guess, it doesn't matter what you choose.

Troymclure · 04-15-2015, 12:51 PM

I have the napa ones, and I found two of the four I got leaked either at the piston or the seam in the middle of the caliper. Ive heard others have this issue as well, due to the fact they remachine them so much, occasionally they get out of spec and will leak. Gotta switch out the one thats leaking this weekend, as my brakes have been having some issues recently.

kacper · 04-15-2015, 01:36 PM

Thanks guys for a input. Well looks like they are not really good.

How does this lifetime warranty works? Does anyone already exchange faulty caliper ? Are they really give you another set for free ?

Don't really bother me if they get seized in a year or so on but I don't wanna pay 250$ for a calipers every year.

chitown40 · 04-15-2015, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troymclure

I have the napa ones, and I found two of the four I got leaked either at the piston or the seam in the middle of the caliper. Ive heard others have this issue as well, due to the fact they remachine them so much, occasionally they get out of spec and will leak. Gotta switch out the one thats leaking this weekend, as my brakes have been having some issues recently.

Same experience with the A1 Cardone front calipers. I had to go through a few of them to find one that didn't leak at the seam between the halves.

Brian3676 · 04-15-2015, 03:26 PM

I doubt Napa rebuilds them there self. A1 is one of the biggest re manufacturing companies around. They even re man most stuff car manufactures. I know they do Subarus stuff for them, and from what I am told Toyota as well. I am not sure who Napa uses, but it could be the same. Remanufactured stuff is always a game. Its the warranty that matters. I prefer to just rebuild stuff my self like brakes. Alternators and starters I take to a trusted shop.

Sungod · 04-15-2015, 04:07 PM

I got the Cardones from Advance and they had a lifetime warranty. I replaced them at least twice without issue. The hard part is keeping up with the receipt and keeping it readable. The last time I must have left it out in the sun and you could barely read it.

And you should replace them in pairs not one at a time.

Troymclure · 04-15-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacper

Thanks guys for a input. Well looks like they are not really good.

How does this lifetime warranty works? Does anyone already exchange faulty caliper ? Are they really give you another set for free ?

Don't really bother me if they get seized in a year or so on but I don't wanna pay 250$ for a calipers every year.

I just walked in and said "this caliper leaks give me new one". They were skeptical at first as they said thats not even possible, but after some arguing they gave me a new one. I dont know if that counts as part of the lifetime warranty or not though, since it was defective from the start.

S p a r k y · 04-15-2015, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sungod

I got the Cardones from Advance and they had a lifetime warranty. I replaced them at least twice without issue. The hard part is keeping up with the receipt and keeping it readable. The last time I must have left it out in the sun and you could barely read it.

And you should replace them in pairs not one at a time.

Same thing happened to me as well. Luckily I went to high school with the regional manager, so he swapped them for me. He also suggested make a copy in a machine and that will last much much longer and work the same!

Handgunner480 · 04-15-2015, 08:23 PM

OP, I got news for ya bud. A1 cardone is the manufacturer of those NAPA calipers you speak of...

kacper · 04-15-2015, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sungod

I got the Cardones from Advance and they had a lifetime warranty. I replaced them at least twice without issue. The hard part is keeping up with the receipt and keeping it readable. The last time I must have left it out in the sun and you could barely read it.

And you should replace them in pairs not one at a time.

Would be nice to replace both of them but I'm not gonna waste another 150$ for a caliper. Passenger side pistons move smooth and I have just greased them last week. I'm going to napa tomorrow get a new eclipse rebulid caliper but before I'll assemble it on my rig I will check how it looks inside and how the pistons move. I'm so f***** mad on that stupid calipers. Just spend 650$ last year for new oem calipers and pads

The worst brakes I have ever had in my car

Also wanna ask if additional greasing rebulid caliper would be good? cardone caliper had only a little bit of fluid inside. In my opinion brake synthetic grease would be helpful but I'm not sure

kacper · 04-15-2015, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian3676

I doubt Napa rebuilds them there self. A1 is one of the biggest re manufacturing companies around. They even re man most stuff car manufactures. I know they do Subarus stuff for them, and from what I am told Toyota as well. I am not sure who Napa uses, but it could be the same. Remanufactured stuff is always a game. Its the warranty that matters. I prefer to just rebuild stuff my self like brakes. Alternators and starters I take to a trusted shop.

I was going to rebulid them by myself BUT

Repair kit (seals,boots) 68$
Piston 50$ each

68+200=268 each caliper cost

Sungod · 04-16-2015, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacper

Would be nice to replace both of them but I'm not gonna waste another 150$ for a caliper. Passenger side pistons move smooth and I have just greased them last week. I'm going to napa tomorrow get a new eclipse rebulid caliper but before I'll assemble it on my rig I will check how it looks inside and how the pistons move. I'm so f***** mad on that stupid calipers. Just spend 650$ last year for new oem calipers and pads

The worst brakes I have ever had in my car

Also wanna ask if additional greasing rebulid caliper would be good? cardone caliper had only a little bit of fluid inside. In my opinion brake synthetic grease would be helpful but I'm not sure

$150? Wow they really gouge you in Canada. You can get them from rock auto for $35. I think I paid about the same from Advance. Of course that is with exchange.

I agree that they are bad, but every vehicle has a part or two that fails more than others. All things considered I would much rather complain about having to replace calipers more frequently than what my neighbor complains about with his 5 year old jeep wrangler.

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