Front disc brake caliper rebuilding

[MrEviLDeD]

Hello everyone,

 

I was wondering. I threw a shoe (for lack of a better term) on my Pathfinder. Really has gouged up the rotor past the point of being able to resurface so a new rotor is a given. What my question here is based on the cost from the dealer and a couple of local shops. The price on a caliper is just a little more than I have to drop on them right now but need to get the Pathfinder back on the road as it is a work truck so my questions are as follows:

 

1) When buying replacement brake pistons (CL28VD are not steel) can I replace the non-steel ones with a steel replacement such as listed at RockAuto Parts here. I have the FSM but it does not list the length of the piston and neither does the replacement. Can I even replace the current pistons with steel or would I need to buy the Phenolithic part? If I can replace with steel, should I?

 

2) When replacing a caliper and rotor like this should I pair up the work and also redo the passenger side of the Pathfinder?

 

3) Notwithstanding the obvious in replacing the disk brake hardware (clips, etc) are there any other parts on the caliper or bracket that I should also repair?

 

4) Should I just break down and rebuild all around the brakes including the rear drum brakes at the same time? I ask simply for the semantics of equal brake wear all around.

 

5) Are there any reputable part suppliers up here in Canada (online or otherwise) that are similar to RockAuto Parts? I would like to be able to go in and pick up or order parts and save on the cost of shipping from the USA.

I have some bigger issues with the braking system I am sure. I was pretty stupid and took a great risk by simply replacing the brake shoes and not the rotor as well. In addition it was pretty obvious that the pistons were not in the best shape anymore due to the damage throwing the shoe and needed to be replaced as well. Either way at this point (and it might be from the front driver side caliper) but the fluid drops out of it in a couple pedal presses as fast as you could pour the dot-3 into the master cylinder. Trying to figure the most cost effective manner in which to get the Pathfinder back on the road. I am not faint of heart when it comes to a set of tools so though I would solicit some thoughts from the other Pathfinder owners and mechanics around here.

 

Appreciate any input, feedback or suggestions you all might have.

 

Matthew

Edited February 3, 2014 by MrEviLDeD

[k9sar]

I did a rebuild on one of mine and, due to issues, it did not hold. I simply dropped the change for a rebuilt caliper at advanceauto cause I couldn't wait for one to be shipped. I was dumping brake fluid all over the place

 

1. My originals were steel, hence the problem wiht my rebuild. There was some rust and pitting on the piston so the chrome was no longer intact and the seal was subsequently bad. Should be no reason you couldn't replace with steel as long as they had a good finish

 

2. no need to do both sides unless you want to. Mine had been submerged so many times that I got a little water behind the seal and the piston rusted a bit. Only replaced the one that was leaking badly. As long as the other one works, save the money.

 

3. Make sure you clean the surface where your brake line attaches and use new washers if you disconnect the caliper from your brake lines. That's another place leaks can occur. My 'new' washers were a little big so they did not fit flat on the surface of the caliper so I had to file a little bit but then they worked no problem. Also, pull your guide/slide pins out and grease them well. Over time, if they get water in them, they will sieze and your brakes will wear poorly

 

4. Unless you are in a situation where you wouldn't be able to fix things as they break/fail (like living in the northern tundra with no garage and only having 1 week a year you can fix things), I would only fix what's broken.

 

5. you got me there. I'm in PA so I have no idea about you silly canadians

 

[adamzan]

I would try and find a good used caliper if possible, or spring for a rebuilt from partsource/crappy tire. You only need to replace the one caliper. But you should change rotors in pairs. I usually buy everything from napa, carquest or Canadian tire. Just because they are close. If I can wait I do rockauto, they ship postal service now which drops the price considerably.

 

The thing I like about CT is that they are all over the country so you can return it anywhere.

 

As long as the rear brakes work and have lots of shoe/pad left I would leave them alone.

[MrEviLDeD]

Great suggestions! So what I took away from this is that, first I should replace both rotors on the front. Second, look for a rebuilt or a good used caliper opposed to rebuilding it. Thirdly, fix only what is broken unless I have the resources or the need..

Thanks, I really appreciate the responses.

 

[MrEviLDeD]

Took both of your advice and just picked up a caliper from PartSource/CT. Also picked up two new rotors. Again thanks for the prompt responses.. Cheers!