brake calipers
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 46
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From: Ocala
brake calipers
So I am on my way to Alaska from Florida in my 2000 F-350. Today I went to have my tires rotated before we went into Canada and the guy at the tire store told me that my rear brakes need attention. He wanted to sell me pre-loaded calipers claiming that by pushing the plunger in to replace only the pads would cause the calipers to leak. I replaced the pads and rotors a few years back and I've had no problem with them leaking. I'm thinking that the guy wanted to sell me a more expensive repair than is necessary, and am inclined to simply replace the pads. Was he right? Should I replace the rear calipers at the same time or was he full of it? Your thoughts?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2017
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On the face of it, that guy was full of hooey.
Maybe he was just lousy at explaining some problem found in inspection... but I'll go with hooey without more info.
I do note your truck is 18 years old, so I would be open to more info (have the calipers ever been replaced?) and it may not be a bad idea. Was the brake system flushed regularly or has old fluid had years to absorb moisture and pit the caliper bores?
In any case, I would find another shop that gives a warm fuzzy, something you clearly did not get from this shop.
Maybe he was just lousy at explaining some problem found in inspection... but I'll go with hooey without more info.
I do note your truck is 18 years old, so I would be open to more info (have the calipers ever been replaced?) and it may not be a bad idea. Was the brake system flushed regularly or has old fluid had years to absorb moisture and pit the caliper bores?
In any case, I would find another shop that gives a warm fuzzy, something you clearly did not get from this shop.
Last edited by DogRidesInBack; May 26, 2018 at 11:22 AM. Reason: typo
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
I have to agree. I have pushed in hundreds if not thousands of caliper pistons without any leak issues. I have however, pushed them back in and rust caused them to stick. It seems like the quality of materials used in parts anymore have deteriorated. I think you will be fine if you push them back in and lubricate all the slide points on the caliper.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
Yes, all pistons have to be pushed back in to install new pads. Issues can crop up when the pistons and the cylinder walls on the caliper have rusted and all that rust is pushed back into the caliper causing the piston to bind and the brakes to stick.
FWIW, I had a '04 F350 that I replaced the right front caliper on due to sticking, soon after I had to replace the left. Not long after that the left rear started heating up so I decided I had enough and replaced both rear calipers at the same time since I knew the other would be failing soon. Rust was the issue. The quality of materials in parts today do not compare to what we used to get 30-40 years ago. It seems like everything today is manufactured with a limited lifespan. Make em cheap and sell em high.
FWIW, I had a '04 F350 that I replaced the right front caliper on due to sticking, soon after I had to replace the left. Not long after that the left rear started heating up so I decided I had enough and replaced both rear calipers at the same time since I knew the other would be failing soon. Rust was the issue. The quality of materials in parts today do not compare to what we used to get 30-40 years ago. It seems like everything today is manufactured with a limited lifespan. Make em cheap and sell em high.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
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From: San Diego, CA
I don't think it's the piston being pushed back in as much as the fluid being forced in the opposite direction back to the reservoir. I have read that it is a "good practice" to bleed the caliper as you compress the piston(s) to prevent this and possibly dislodging particulate that could plug the line.
I have yet to do this as I don't have any help when working on my vehicles and I am too lazy to try and balance the bleeder line and piston compression.
As Fefenatic said, I have done this numerous times (without bleeding the caliper) and have had no issues.
I have yet to do this as I don't have any help when working on my vehicles and I am too lazy to try and balance the bleeder line and piston compression.
As Fefenatic said, I have done this numerous times (without bleeding the caliper) and have had no issues.
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