Poll - How many people had seized caliper twice

[shahsmerdis]

Hi there,

based on my research it seems regardless of who the rebuild is, even Toyota. that the probability of getting a second seized caliper is high. I'm evaluating a 5th gen upgrade and probably will do it because its the same cost. I'm curious who had a seized caliper never had an issue again, or had a sized caliper and had to replace a second time. Aftermarket vs Toyota rebuilt.

Lets see If i can get a poll working

Never had a seized caliper
Toyota rebuilt - Never had a problem again
Toyota rebuilt - replacement also seized
Aftermarket rebuilt - Never had a problem again
Aftermarket rebuilt - replacement also seized
I rebuilt my caliper myself - Never had an issue again
I rebuilt my caliper myself - Still seized again


if you went with aftermarket, please state the name of your aftermarket rebuilt, and how many times. Front or rear

I think this may be a useful thread and reference. maybe if it draws enough attention we can get a recall =P.

Thanks!

 

[Jixxer6]

Both of mine were seized on my 2005 91k when I bought it. Friend of mine just bought his 2003 150k and both fronts on his were seized as well. Napa Replacements on both. I'll post back if there are future failures. Pretty common issue.

 

[bubbazr2]

The brakes on this vehicle are absolute garbage. I finally just put 5th gen brakes on in hopes of some better brakes. I think we should be making a larger issue out of this than a cracked dashboard . Its a legitimate safety issue where people could get hurt.

 

[inscarguy]

ive had 2 sets seize up. one was the original set and the second was from advance auto. so far they have been ok.

 

[07V8]

150k on my originals in salty NE and Chicago. I'm going to replace with 5th gen in the coming months.

 

[mrwinkle13]

ive had 2 sets seize up. one was the original set and the second was from advance auto. so far they have been ok.

Same here.

 

[m85476585]

I just put in new brake pads, and none of the calipers were seized. As a precaution, I cleaned as much corrosion as I could from around the piston, and I smeared some dielectric grease on the exposed metal (since it's silicone based it won't damage the rubber seals. The official recommendation is to use "Toyota Rubber Grease" or "Lithium Soap Base Glycol Grease" on anything that contacts rubber, like the rear slide pins, but silicone should work too. I don't know if grease will help or hurt on the pistons, but it seems like it should keep salty water out. Note that the service manual does not say to grease the outside of the pistons. I got dirt on one of the rear slide pins, so I cleaned it off and added some silicone grease.

For the backs of the pads, and the front pins I used Permatex Ceramic Brake Grease.

I also changed out the brake fluid by bleeding them. The first fluid out of the caliper was dark, but I don't think I was able to get all the fluid out of the calipers. I don't know how much circulation they get?

 

[jonesmw10]

Replaced both fronts and the new ones haven't seized yet. We'll see if that sticks this winter since I moved away from the northeast

 

[ncpinz]

The previous owner replaced calipers and then I ended up replacing them again once I had one seize after a hard stop causing the 4R to pull to the right. It came from MD so I don't know if location plays a role.

 

[shahsmerdis]

Those who replaced a second time and such a short duration has to be shop error or cheap refurb no? Based off my Google search it seems Napa are the ones sezing more than once . or could be more people use them?

 

[KBToys]

I think more people use the napa ones including myself because they are prettier :biggrin1:

 

[shahsmerdis]

I think more people use the napa ones including myself because they are prettier :biggrin1:

Do napaa come painted with anti rust?

 

[bagelsjustbagels]

Quick question. it hasn't happened to me yet, but if it does. What is some sort of trail repair so that i can at least limp home if this happens?

 

[nevada]

I just put in new brake pads, and none of the calipers were seized. As a precaution, I cleaned as much corrosion as I could from around the piston, and I smeared some dielectric grease on the exposed metal (since it's silicone based it won't damage the rubber seals. The official recommendation is to use "Toyota Rubber Grease" or "Lithium Soap Base Glycol Grease" on anything that contacts rubber, like the rear slide pins, but silicone should work too. I don't know if grease will help or hurt on the pistons, but it seems like it should keep salty water out. Note that the service manual does not say to grease the outside of the pistons. I got dirt on one of the rear slide pins, so I cleaned it off and added some silicone grease.

For the backs of the pads, and the front pins I used Permatex Ceramic Brake Grease.

I also changed out the brake fluid by bleeding them. The first fluid out of the caliper was dark, but I don't think I was able to get all the fluid out of the calipers. I don't know how much circulation they get?

none.

this is why the fluid should be flushed every couple years. I think they call for it to be done like every 30-40k. I think even once a year wouldn't be too often.
im sure most people know, but I will say it again. brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture right out of the air. whatever water collects in the system will go to the lowest point. which ends up being the calipers. that's when the pistons start to rust, and thus get stuck.
im convinced, flushing the fluid more often will prevent the stuck pistons.


I have 110k on mine, original pistons, and so far nothing stuck. I will be doing brakes in the next few weeks/months and will find out for sure then. but as of right now, I have no concern they will be stuck.

Do napaa come painted with anti rust?

yes. they are painted.

 

[shahsmerdis]

none.

this is why the fluid should be flushed every couple years. I think they call for it to be done like every 30-40k. I think even once a year wouldn't be too often.
im sure most people know, but I will say it again. brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture right out of the air. whatever water collects in the system will go to the lowest point. which ends up being the calipers. that's when the pistons start to rust, and thus get stuck.
im convinced, flushing the fluid more often will prevent the stuck pistons.


I have 110k on mine, original pistons, and so far nothing stuck. I will be doing brakes in the next few weeks/months and will find out for sure then. but as of right now, I have no concern they will be stuck.


yes. they are painted.

Great, which brake fluid should I flush with. 2 2 different shops have worked on my car recently and I'm sure they put in whatever they had laying around without paying attention to what it calls for. I assume since we have very problematic calipers, probably the best of the best should be used?

 

[nevada]

Great, which brake fluid should I flush with. 2 2 different shops have worked on my car recently and I'm sure they put in whatever they had laying around without paying attention to what it calls for. I assume since we have very problematic calipers, probably the best of the best should be used?

the BEST brake fluid is VERY expensive, I doubt many shops just have that sitting on the shelf. for our rigs, any basic dot 3/4 will be sufficient.

 

[shahsmerdis]

the BEST brake fluid is VERY expensive, I doubt many shops just have that sitting on the shelf. for our rigs, any basic dot 3/4 will be sufficient.

Cool. I have no idea what is in there. Should I Go with dot 3 or dot 4? I'll probably do a flush after I finish the front calipers. dot 3 is 2.5$ on amazon for 12 oz

thanks