Anyone ever rebuilt their own brake caliper?
I have a sticky caliper on the left front, its not bad so this is not a dire emergency.
I can buy a rebuilt caliper from AutoZone for $72 each and I will be doing both fronts.
But it looks like I can get a rebuild kit for $22.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LAND-ROVER-BRAKE...item563a76ea36

I do not know if the rebuild kit is for one caliper or all four, it says just one but it looks like it would do all four.

I have never rebuilt a caliper before, any tips? Should I just buy the rebuilt one and be done with it?

 

Your a glutten for punishment Spike..... i say go for it... It's not brain surgery... I can tell you one time i was changing my pads on my 95 RR 4.0 se and i forget what i did put i poped out the piston on the caliper... yea , im a dumbass...anyway, i cleaned it up..popped it back in ..bleed that back brake an i was good to go... so there cant be to much to it..

I hope that helps... well alot of beer should get you threw it...

All the best, Chris

 

Alot of Pepsi, alot of Pepsi...(I dont drink)

I like a "sure thing" though and rebuilding them makes me nervous because if I screw it up then I am out the rebuild kit plus a new caliper.
Thats why I dont go to the casino either, I want a return on my investment.

I had to hammer the pistons back with a sledge hammer.
I used a small pry bar leveraged against the rotor and hammered on the pry bar.
Once the pistons were back far enough to get my oil change wrench (its a DI so the wrench is huge) then I hammered against the wrench to get them flush.
It does not pull while stopping (didnt before either) or while driving.
So it is working but it will need to be replaced/repaired.
And at 193k miles and 13 yrs I do expect a few snags here and there.

 

Personally, I don't do rebuilds. But of course I was trained in a remove and replace, throw it out and get a new one world. Proper rebuilds usually involve more than just replacing seals and fresh paint (i.e. for calipers the piston cylinders are honed). If you have the tools its up to you, but I personally don't do it and wouldn't for this application.

The price difference sure does make it tempting though Spike!

 

You dont drink and you own a rover...whow..i give you credit...i actually i need to get off the beer as i need to loose a few pounds...im switching to grey goose....less calories..

Let me ask my friend at my rover grave yard what he has and how much and i will let you know tomorrow.

Chris

 

I dont watch sports or play golf either.
My wife says I would be the perfect man if it was not for the Rover habit.

 

Yes the price is tempting, but I agree with you, replace, get the warranty and forget about it.
Brakes are kinda important.
The verdict is still out though.

 

Go for it Spike, it is probably the only part of your truck you haven't seen yet. Having grown up on the farm I am very familiar with honing wheel cylinders, and a caliper is just a really big wheel cylinder, so it is easy.

 

I dont have a hone though, or even a working drill for that matter.

 

just buy a rebuilt.