Caliper Replacement Question
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,111
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Piston diameter MUST be the same side to side or you are going to have a pull to the side with the fatter pistons every time you step on the brakes. Laws of nature equate this to having one lever be a little longer on one side than on the other and the caliper with the bigger pistons will apply more braking pressure to the rotor. Resulting in the vehicle wanting to dive in that direction every time you use the brakes. I cannot tell if the pistons are the same or not by the picture.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles/Ventura, CA
Truck was pulling to the right. Pulled driver’s side caliper and one of the pistons was frozen.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles/Ventura, CA
Another dumb question. My rotors were probably OK but I replaced them. It would have to be someone local but would anyone want my old rotors if I listed them for free? Or should they simply go into the recycle bin?
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 458
Craigslist free stuff. Somebody will come get them. If nothing else the local steel scrapper guy will take them. On a 4x4 front end they are cheap and easy to replace so I'd probably replace them too when the pads are due.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 1,330
From: Elk Grove, CA
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles/Ventura, CA
Are the spreader clips for the brake pads absolutely necessary? The EBC yellow pads I purchased didn’t come with new clips and the old set in the truck appears to be missing one of the two clips.
If yes, I guess I’ll head over to a box store in the morning.
If yes, I guess I’ll head over to a box store in the morning.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I NEVER let these brakes run dry. In the future, leave the old caliper and hose attached until the new ones are installed, then swap the hoses over.
Also, replace all of the brake fluid during every brake service by slurping out the master cylinder and filling with FRESH fluid from a new container. Then, gravity bleed all 4 corners until fresh fluid comes out.
The piston diameter on the calipers in pics above were the same. The piston bores cannot change much, but there are different piston and seal designs - as seen in pics. I still always replace calipers in pairs. There is no reason to buy anything but locally-sourced ‘lifetime warranty’ calipers. If you keep your truck, they’ll need replaced. I inspect them at pad changes and replace if the rubber seals look compromised.
I also add lube to the slide pins because they never use enough. I use quality dielectric grease (pure silicone grease) for this, but proper ‘caliper grease’ is OK if you’ve got it. Then, check slide pins at every tire rotation and lube as required.
Also, replace all of the brake fluid during every brake service by slurping out the master cylinder and filling with FRESH fluid from a new container. Then, gravity bleed all 4 corners until fresh fluid comes out.
The piston diameter on the calipers in pics above were the same. The piston bores cannot change much, but there are different piston and seal designs - as seen in pics. I still always replace calipers in pairs. There is no reason to buy anything but locally-sourced ‘lifetime warranty’ calipers. If you keep your truck, they’ll need replaced. I inspect them at pad changes and replace if the rubber seals look compromised.
I also add lube to the slide pins because they never use enough. I use quality dielectric grease (pure silicone grease) for this, but proper ‘caliper grease’ is OK if you’ve got it. Then, check slide pins at every tire rotation and lube as required.