front brake caliper piston seized...again!

[t4rmax]

I have a 2006 SE, shortly after I got the car in 2010, it was revealed that the front brake caliper pistons were seizing, so I got new remanufactured calipers at a reduced cost because the dealership didnt' pick this up on inspection.

Fast forward to today, approx 1.5 yrs since the replacement, they are now telling me the one of the passenger side front brake caliper pistons is seizing. They are saying its past warranty. Quoting me $400 for a replacement caliper that is now different than the ones I got in 2010. Am I getting screwed? Is this grounds for me calling them out?

I dont' want to (and shouldn't) keep having to do this every 1.5 years!!

Thanks for your input

Max

(PS I live in Ontario Canada and I get my car rustproofed yearly)

 

[084RUNNAH]

I can get you a caliper for $120 + tax plus the labor. Total job is $180 and thats in Brampton, Ontario.

It is always good to service the brakes every 10K which I do on a regular basis

 

[Atlanta_man]

Service the brakes ? Every 10K (are those kilo-meters?) Anyway what do you do ? Flush the brake fluid ? Exercise the pistons ? Blow the dirt off the pads ?

 

[MikeInNH]

It is always good to service the brakes every 10K which I do on a regular basis

What...Do you have major holdings in a brake company??

10k miles...that's absurd. For me..that would be 4 times a year....Yea Right.

 

[084RUNNAH]

Every 10000kms which for me is annually, I grease all my balljoint, sway bar links, u-joints, tie rod ends and grease my caliper pistons and push them in.

My dad has been doing that on his 2000 4Runner since he bought it new and never replaced anything other than doing oil change, spark plugs, timing belt, water pump and front wheel bearing.

I figured if I did that, I am now just over 21000kms (~13000mi), the truck would last me 10 years trouble free. Just have to change pads, machine my rotors, tune up, oil change, tires and belt.

Don't mean to brag or anything.

 

[Atlanta_man]

1 kilometer = 0.621371192 miles
10000km = 6,200 mi

that's about when I do an oil change and tire rotation
but getting into all 4 calipers and fiddling with the pistons would be just too much for me (no salt on the roads here fortunately)

 

[084RUNNAH]

Yeah I do my tire rotation and oil change twice a year with Redline Synthetic 0W-40. Aside from that, it is beautiful to live where they do not use road salts. Up here, if you do not rust proof, say goodbye to your investment (truck)

 

[MikeInNH]

I grease all my balljoint

Something different with your 4runner then mine. The balljoints on my 4runner are sealed units. There aren't any zerks.

Don't mean to brag or anything.

I don't think that's bragging at all. In fact it's down right pitiful. You have to put that much maintenance to get the vehicle to last that long. I've replaced my front brakes (new calipers and either turned or replaced rotors) 3 times. Tune-up every 40k miles (about once a year) and oil changes every 5k miles...and tranny fluid changes about every 40k miles...I'm currently a little over 210k MILES...Runs GREAT. You have a LONG ways to go to even come close to the reliability of my truck...So I wouldn't brag too much if I were you.

 

[084RUNNAH]

Yes you are correct with the balljoints being a sealed unit, however, they can still be greased. I use a syringe end / basketball inflator attached to the grease gun, puncture the boot (make a small hole ~1mm) and grease them up.

Regarding maintenance, I am right on the ball with it. I am glad you are on top of it as well. Cheers

 

[Atlanta_man]

I'll look into the 0w40 stuff. Me I'm trying the 0w20 for a while. Seems the 40 would be pretty heavy for your wintertime. But the synthetic and the 0 probably trump any concerns on the 40 end.
What do you lube the brake caliper piston walls with (brake fluid ?)

 

[084RUNNAH]

Yes I usually squirt some brake fluid in the boot where the piston is and press them in.

As for the oil, 0w20, Visc@100C is 8.2 / Visc@40C is 43
0W40, Visc@100 is 15.1 / Visc@40 is 81

When I got the truck, not sure what oil was in there and the oil change at the dealer ship, the engine was fairly noisy. I then switched to 0W40 and the engine is quiet. All I hear is the injectors which is normal. To me, it would extend the engine life. My dad uses 20w50 all year round in his 4Runner and swears by 20w50 which I am not comfortable with. On my previous car, 1988 Corolla which had close to 850,000kms, all we used was 20w50 year round and still drove strong on its original engine.