Damaged caliper boot

[BUTCH1]

Did a 4 wheel pad job on my '05 Malibu LTZ a few days ago, the left side caliper's rubber dust boot was about 30% gone, looked like dry rot had gotten to it, no sign of leaks so I compressed the piston and installed the new pads, should I just go ahead and buy a re-man'd one now or just let it ride and monitor brake reservoir level??.

 

[leper84]

If you can do it money wise I'd replace it. Really you probably won't notice any immediate problems but the off chance of dust causing the caliper to stick or the piston to leak would be enough incentive for me to play it safe.

 

[JCH13]

The piston's dust boot? I would rebuild or replace if it were my car. If that boot was wrecked, what else is about to let go too?

 

[Vdubchaos]

I would probably change it vs risking the caliper to stick down the road.

Assuming you can even find a replacement part.....

 

[slag]

Just had this happen on my jetta before I sold it. I replaced the caliper. You could buy a rebuild kit for $20 or so and pop the piston out, dig out the c clip holding the boot in, remove that, clean up the bore and pin holding area, put it all back together, etc, and spend a couple hours, or just buy a reman caliper and put it on. I went the easy route as I've done the hard route before and it was a major PITA.

 

[BUTCH1]

I would probably change it vs risking the caliper to stick down the road.

Assuming you can even find a replacement part.....

Calipers are easy to find, usually around $50 plus core. I used brake cleaner to flush out where the boot was missing but It's probably just gonna get dirty again..