Bad Calipers on 08 4Runner

[malu]

Hi every one

So while trouble shooting and fixing a problem I found another one when I was under my SUV, the drivers side caliper seemed very very rusty, something I have not seen on any other car I owned. So my question to the experts and people that have experienced bad caliper? How do I know if a brake caliper is bad? Does it seize and will not move? I ask that because not only that it was rusted but the back of the rotor had a deep grove in it 360 degrees round. Is this because a FOD got stuck in the brake pad or because the caliper is bad. I had the brakes done about two years ago. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[talonjade]

Not sure about the grooves but the calipers on the 4th Gen runners are known to do this... its a design flaw and we don't have much choice but to replace them

The best way I know to tell of a caliper is stuck is to look for symptoms.

1) excessive heat (burning brakes smell)
2) sluggish acceleration
3) truck pulls when turning and applying brakes
4) a clunk in the brakes could also be the sign of the pistons in the caliper not retracting. Etc.

I hear the NAPA calipers are good replacements...I wouldn't waist my time with rebuilt ones or DIY repair kits. NAPA is lifetime warranty

 

[me_rikey]

Not sure about the grooves but the calipers on the 4th Gen runners are known to do this... its a design flaw and we don't have much choice but to replace them

The best way I know to tell of a caliper is stuck is to look for symptoms.

1) excessive heat (burning brakes smell)
2) sluggish acceleration
3) truck pulls when turning and applying brakes
4) a clunk in the brakes could also be the sign of the pistons in the caliper not retracting. Etc.

I hear the NAPA calipers are good replacements...I wouldn't waist my time with rebuilt ones or DIY repair kits. NAPA is lifetime warranty

I would agree that NAPA's stuff is the way to go; however, aren't all of NAPA's replacement calipers reman'ed?