Would you replace calipers if no issues?

O

Old-Duckman

Active member
 SW Pennsylvania USA
Will need new rear disks and pads before safety inspection March 2021. Obviously lots of time to procrastinate...would you suggest replacing calipers at the same time (2004, doubt they were ever changed).

No current problems, a mechanic friend says not to bother but I tend to think while am at it I probably should replace them, due to their age...Thoughts.?

I’m not a race type of driver so not looking for some kind of major brake upgrades just good, reliable brakes.
 
They will cause you a problem sooner or latter

If you are doing the other brake components there is no harm in doing the job lot.

Have you replaced the rusty rear brake pipes yet.

I have a 1 series and have had to do all of my brake callipers at between 80k miles and 120k miles also a front on my Z4M at around 84k miles both cars are 2006 I replaced both front callipers at the same time as it would my my luck only to have the car up in the air the next month to do the other side.

So if it is a winter project if I could afford to I would do the job lot.
 
Personally, I would throw a new set of seals and rubber bits on the calipers. Possibly new pistons too.
That way you keep the original castings, nothing wrong with them. Good opportunity to give them a lick of paint too.

I dislike the throwaway attitude towards these sorts of things. (Not having a dig, it's just my opinion.) I suppose the difference in cost or waste is very small either way though.
 
I looked at servicing the old ones and if everything goes to plan is a cheap way to do it but you only need a scored bore a seized snapped bleed nipple and it starts to become more involved.
 
imho really a waste of time trying to refurb the calipers, you can buy the oem calipers fully reconditioned with the bore cnc'd, new piston and seals for just £40, I've done both the fronts after they seized three winters back. Not had any issue with the rears yet but just a matter of time.
 
PDJ said:
I looked at servicing the old ones and if everything goes to plan is a cheap way to do it but you only need a scored bore a seized snapped bleed nipple and it starts to become more involved.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right there. If one is not prepared to deal with those sorts of issues when they arise, the best option would be to swap out the calipers with a company that exchanges refurbished ones.
It looks like Davz has found a company that offer that service.
 
Jfgoldfish said:
It looks like Davz has found a company that offer that service.
Click to expand...

http://www.brake-eng.com/en/ owned by TRW automotive. You can get them from most motor factors, although not much use to the op as he is in the states. TRW, being a massive corporation will mostly have a recon factory or two in the states.
To answer the Op's question, if its a daily driver it could be worth doing the fronts, if they seize it will be in the winter, if its not a daily and you keep it nice and cozy in a garage I wouldn't bother.

Although they come electroplated and look like new, a bit of paint in your fave colour doesn't go amiss!
 
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