I need to replace the RF caliper carrier on my rig with 162k. The slide pin has seized into the slide. I have decided that even if I could get it out, the insides would be corroded and pitted to the point that I can't clean up with my tools and expertise. I just found this out today and have not talked with my parts guy at the Ford garage. I don't know if they sell just the carrier or not.

What I did find was replacement complete caliper kits for $55+/- online. I don't really want to go to the trouble of replacing the whole caliper if I don't have to. Plus, I want to do both sides because if one pin is seized, the other side might be close to it as well. I have taken the pins out and lubed them in the past and just think it might be time to replace them before I ruin a full set of pads.

However, if FOMOCO doesn't sell just the carrier, I may have to go with the full caliper. SO, if I do, anybody got any advice on aftermarket calipers on the SD? Will-fit is one thing but I don't want to put on something that will just "fit" and not really stop my 8,600 lb truck. Of course, there could be A/M calipers out there that work better than the stock units.

What do you guys think?

Big

 

I replaced the front calipers on mine with Napa brand calipers. Worked better than stock to me. I also installed PowerSlots and Hawk HPS pads when I did.

 

the caliper i got at oriellies was a ford caliper remaned ny someone.

 

NAPA. no complaints here. I got the loaded ones.

 

Are you looking to replace the caliper mounting braket as well as the caliper? I know many times calipers do not come with a mounting braket. You sometimes have to get "loaded" calipers in order to get the mounting braket as well. Make sure you ask before buying.

 

I seriously doubt that if you bought "stock" calipers from any auto parts store that they would be any different (manufacturer wise) than what comes from Ford directly.

 

I ordered the "Caliper Adapter" from my buddy at the Ford Garage. With the slide pin assembly the cost is the same as a NAPA complete caliper. I didn't want to break the line and replace the caliper so I am just replacing what I know to be bad at this point. I still have the brake pads which are still way good now, and the small stainless spring clips that hold them in.

So, I am good for now. But back to the original question, for a standard caliper assembly (i.e. not an upgraded or performance version) does anyone have any opinion or a horror story of using an aftermarket caliper over the FoMoCo ones?

Pinky Demon - Just curious as to how you perceive the NAPA calipers worked better than the OEM ones?

 

For what it's worth (in addition to was I already posted in this thread), who makes Ford's calipers in the first place? Bendix? Let's use Bendix as an example anyway.

NAPA, if selling "new" calipers, will just purchase them directly from Bendix. Cutting out the middle-man, which is Ford.

The calipers are the same exact thing as the stock ones you'd buy from a Ford dealer parts department.

As for REBUILT, everyone uses a different shop. Sometimes, it will be local to the parts store, sometimes it's a big company somewhere, possibly even overseas, that does the rebuilding. Personally, I stay away from rebuilt calipers, unless I'm doing the rebuilding myself

 

A quality reman will be fine, if you find an A1 cardone or one of the other big reman companies, they will be as good as OEs. As I understand it from the pair we did many years ago, Remanning, means honing the cylinder and piston and installing a new piston seal. It's not rocket science and a shop that can do fairly precise work (couple thousandths tolerances) should be able to produce good calipers.

I have used OE remans, actually ACD which cleaned up cores with new parts and never had the first issue with any of them we sold. If you look over the casting, there is most likely an manufacture name on it.

 

I had to replace a caliper on my Mustang, and I although they quoted a cheaper price, none of the local auto parts places had the right one in stock (Go figure, it's such a oddball application, right? Right...) So I opted to go with an OEM one from one of the FTE sponsors. Cost me a little more, but when I got it I was surprised to find it wasn't just the caliper, it came with the mounting bracket and new slide pins, all assembled. Plus new pads. The replacement part was obviously designed for a dealer shop monkey to be able to put on with no chance of further problems, but I wasn't unhappy to play that part in my own garage...

 

NEH, that's a "loaded" caliper.

I bought a "loaded set" from Napa when I had to do the rears on my wife's Cougar - not a lot of miles, but it sat for long periods of time with little use, so they rusted up solid.

Brand new, same parts as original.

 

Ah, interesting. I didn't see that nomenclature when I ordered it, but at the time it made the job quick and easy, and wasn't that much more money...

 

Interesting. I guess I can go home now cuz I learned a new word for the day.

That is something I will look out for in the future, as the need arises.

Thanks Krewat.

So the Cardone units are remans? That makes sense with the $67 core charge. Next time I will have a little more time to look into this kind of stuff. I am not illiterate but certainly don't have a Master's Degree. (maybe a BS though!!!) Actually I think I am about due for my GED. I just wanted to get my truck back together. I have 99 Chev Suburban as a back up. It is nice to have a B/U vehicle but I still want to get back in my SD!

Big

 

All of your remanufactured calipers are done with oem caliper castings. They aren't that hard to rebuild. The o-ring, boot seal, and piston is usually what needs replaced. I have gone both ways. I've rebuilt my own and used remanufactured from aftermarket and Ford all with good luck. It's just a matter of preferance.