Repair or buy new caliper from rockauto/autozone

[ruturaj1989]

The sliding pin on my cars driver side front caliper is stuck, Should I get it fixed (with help of someone whom I would have to pay maybe 30-50 bucks) or get new one from either autozone or rockauto

From rockout my options are (all rebuilt, costing between 33-46)
POWER STOP
CARDONE
ACDELCO
CENTRIC
Wagner
RAYBESTOS
BECK/ARNLEY
NASTRA

From Autozone ($45-50)
Duralast

From Advance auto parts ($45-50)
Wearever

Are original ones are better built against rust? Is it worth to try to save them? If I do decide to buy new one, should I change both sides? (probably I should right?)

I own a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Assuming you intend to do the actual replacement yourself?

Calipers, I'm pretty sure you can change one at a time - provided you get one that matches OEM spec or is an OE rebuilt. But if you have see-through alloy wheels and are concerned about aesthetics, you might want them to match?

Since all your options seem to cost about the same (~$50) I'd probably get a professionally rebuilt one rather than have your friend rebuilt it. (Takes less time, and you want to get this fixed ASAP since brakes are a safety issue.) I don't have any opinion on brand, really. Assuming they're all OE rebuilt they should all be basically the same anyways.

 

[jlee]

Sliding pins get stuck because inadequate lubrication -- whatever you do, make sure the new/rebuilt part is well greased before installation.

 

[lsd]

It will probably take less time to change the caliper than to remove/clean the stuck pin so just change the caliper instead. No reason to change the other caliper but you should be changing pads on both sides. And while you're at it inspect/clean/grease the other pins.

 

[ruturaj1989]

Assuming you intend to do the actual replacement yourself?

Calipers, I'm pretty sure you can change one at a time - provided you get one that matches OEM spec or is an OE rebuilt. But if you have see-through alloy wheels and are concerned about aesthetics, you might want them to match?

Since all your options seem to cost about the same (~$50) I'd probably get a professionally rebuilt one rather than have your friend rebuilt it. (Takes less time, and you want to get this fixed ASAP since brakes are a safety issue.) I don't have any opinion on brand, really. Assuming they're all OE rebuilt they should all be basically the same anyways.

I don't care much about aesthetics. I was just curious if any brand puts some coating to protect from corrosion.

Sliding pins get stuck because inadequate lubrication -- whatever you do, make sure the new/rebuilt part is well greased before installation.

I will lubricate all this time.

It will probably take less time to change the caliper than to remove/clean the stuck pin so just change the caliper instead. No reason to change the other caliper but you should be changing pads on both sides. And while you're at it inspect/clean/grease the other pins.

Why change pads?

 

[jlee]

I don't care much about aesthetics. I was just curious if any brand puts some coating to protect from corrosion.



I will lubricate all this time.



Why change pads?

If you have a stuck caliper, your brake pad(s) in that caliper are probably unevenly worn. Pads are really cheap, so you may as well fix it completely/properly when you replace/rebuild the caliper.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I don't care much about aesthetics. I was just curious if any brand puts some coating to protect from corrosion.

Ah. Just the ones that are painted, I suppose. I suppose it's possible that there's a clear-coat or something on them, but I've never seen a brake caliper that wasn't rusty. (I live in MN, so...)

Why change pads?

If a caliper has been sticking, the pads have probably been wearing unevenly, which means when you fix the caliper, the brakes will probably be slightly off, or you'll have to replace one side before you do the other. Better to replace them now, while you have everything off of one side anyway (pads are cheap).

 

[lsd]

I don't care much about aesthetics. I was just curious if any brand puts some coating to protect from corrosion.



I will lubricate all this time.



Why change pads?

The others have explained why but I'm curious, how did you find out the pin was seized?

 

[ruturaj1989]

Ah. Just the ones that are painted, I suppose. I suppose it's possible that there's a clear-coat or something on them, but I've never seen a brake caliper that wasn't rusty. (I live in MN, so...)



If a caliper has been sticking, the pads have probably been wearing unevenly, which means when you fix the caliper, the brakes will probably be slightly off, or you'll have to replace one side before you do the other. Better to replace them now, while you have everything off of one side anyway (pads are cheap).

I live in NY and surprisingly my front ones are in very good condition from outside. I hate I have to change them. Rear ones are completely rusty (probably will replace them too if the bleeding valve is not working). I will get the pads.

The others have explained why but I'm curious, how did you find out the pin was seized?

I went to a local shop once for break inspection, told me I needed new pads and rotors. Gave a quote of $280. I decided to do the job by myself and found out that pads were good (had half of life left on them). The shop was just trying to sell me new brakes. Doing this I found out that one sliding pin on one of the calipers is not moving (stuck).

 

[evident]

the rock auto listings should say if they were treated with any anti rust coating. You can also spray paint them with rustoleum when you get them, another cheap way of ensuring they don't change color right away when you receive them. I personally used centrics for my mom's accord and they are fine. WAAAAY quicker to replace the entire thing than trying to remove the stuck caliper from the old unit

 

[JCH13]

If you have a stuck slide pin, frisbee the caliper. I've never had a stuck pin 'come back' and calipers are cheap. It's just not worth it IMO.

1. Degrease and paint new caliper with brake caliper paint
2. Install on car
3. Replace ALL or NO pads/rotors on that axle
4. Thoroughly bleed brake hydraulic system
5. Bed brakes if needed
6. ???
7. Profit!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

5. Bed brakes if needed

Is that where baby brake calipers come from?

 

[JCH13]

Is that where baby brake calipers come from?

Exactly. If you get the spare calipers going now, you'll save money in the long run!