Current Opinion on Caliper Replacements

[meltdowner]

Been 3-4 years since a lot of the threads discuss about replacing calipers, which brands are best etc.

How has your caliper been holding up?

 

[Too Stroked]

In descending order of quality and longevity:

1) OEM New
2) OEM Remanufactured
3) NAPA New
4) NAPA Remanufactured
5) Anything else

You get to pick how much you want to spend which pretty much equals how long they last. Don't trust anybody who says "I put XXX brand in mine 500 miles ago and so far they're awesome." Words fail me on that kind of endorsement.

 

[meltdowner]

Thanks dude.

 

[truc.karl]

Can't go wrong with OEM parts.

 

[L8Shift]

Centric Posi-quiet coated (gold) caliper has been going for 3+ years (front).

Powerstop Red (rear) began seizing by 2+ years. Just replaced with the Posi-Quiet.

All new fluid during each replacement, hoses are now 3+ years old..

Local shop uses Posi-quiets, when available, if not OEM.

Good Luck!

 

[bob3dsf]

What's wrong with your calipers? Is it just a seized piston? Replacing the dust boots and square cut seals is really easy, just messy sometimes. Get the OEM seal kit from the dealer, it'll do both front calipers. If you have pitting on any of your pistons you'll need new ones. OEM pistons are like $30-40 a pop. I decided to get one from rock auto (centric brand). Between both my front calipers, I needed 1 on each. They work perfect, been several hundred miles... regardless of what people think of that endorsement. Only other thing would be to get a larger tube of the toyota pink silicone lube (ebay, yea!). That little tiny thing in the kit wasn't enough for me, and I wasn't just slathering it on.

Here's a pic of part number:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/1695111-post5.html

 

[Too Stroked]

They work perfect, been several hundred miles... regardless of what people think of that endorsement.

While I absolutely agree that rebuilding calipers with OEM parts is a great way to go - if you know what you're doing - I simply cannot fathom your success criteria. If NASA uses criteria like that on the upcoming manned Mars mission, it's not going to make it off the launch pad.

 

[bob3dsf]

While I absolutely agree that rebuilding calipers with OEM parts is a great way to go - if you know what you're doing - I simply cannot fathom your success criteria. If NASA uses criteria like that on the upcoming manned Mars mission, it's not going to make it off the launch pad.

LOL, a comparison to NASA mission to Mars? I see your point, but curious as to what kind of criteria you like to see. My criteria is:
-It stops when I push the pedal
-No fluid leaks
-No frozen pistons (but the design makes that inevitable at some point with out regular dust seal replacement)
-regular, even pad wear

Not sure what else, basically working brakes. What else is needed?? In this case, brake calipers are very simple. Only general mechanical/car knowledge is required.

 

[Too Stroked]

LOL, a comparison to NASA mission to Mars? I see your point, but curious as to what kind of criteria you like to see. My criteria is:
-It stops when I push the pedal
-No fluid leaks
-No frozen pistons (but the design makes that inevitable at some point with out regular dust seal replacement)
-regular, even pad wear

Not sure what else, basically working brakes. What else is needed?? In this case, brake calipers are very simple. Only general mechanical/car knowledge is required.

Thank you for taking my comments the right way!

My criteria for a good replacement part / process would be that it lasts as long as the OEM part did - or at least close. I see so many folks online bragging how their eBay / Amazon / Chinese parts that cost a fraction of the OEM part (that lasted 100,000 miles before failure) are "working great after 1,000 miles." The assumption here is that this makes them just as good as OEM.

I work in a Toyota Parts department and I hear this all the time. What makes me angry is that so many people think that cheap aftermarket parts are actually better than OEM based on comments like that. Trust me, they're not even remotely close. At least you used OEM parts to rebuild your OEM calipers. You've got a pretty good shot of them lasting a decent amount of time! Have a great weekend!

 

[04SR54me]

calipers

I've used napa rebuilt for years. Truth be told a get a few years out of them, but they have a lifetime guarantee, so if it seizes up, I get new ones at no cost. Last time I did this, the store manager said...buy a new car already... lol.