Learn Me - Re-manufactured calipers

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 09/25/2015 at 11:10 • Filed to: Learn Me

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Looks like I have a stuck piston that’s causing me no end of grief (at least at this point have to assume its caliper related) and so I looked to see what Toyota charges for a passenger front re manufactured caliper...$480. Noooope! Anyway, I found autozone remans for $50 plus a $22 core and the guy behind the counter tells me that they are Toyota calipers that are rebuilt with new seals...other say that its cheap Chinese junk that looks like Toyota Calipers. Anyone have any experience with re-manufactured calipers? Are they actually just rebuilt OEM units (as I would kinda expect given they want my old OEM ones back) or are they junk? (napa, raybestoes, autozone, etc). My other option is a rebuilt kit, but the kit is MORE than a re-manufactured caliper.

LongbowMkII > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:16

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Have had no issues with mine over the years.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:17

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All of the remanufactured calipers I’ve ever bought have been rebuilt OEM components.

desertdog5051 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:17

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My only experience was with one on the Subaru. It was a Subaru caliper I received in exchange. I would look at them before you pay and make sure you are getting what you want.

BigBlock440 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:18

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I’m guessing here, but they’re probably both. Someone only wants new, so they buy a cheap Chinese junk one while dropping off the OEM. When that one fails, it goes back for the core and into the same bin as the OEM ones. They get shipped to wherever they’re rebuilt, both get rebuilt, and sent back to the store as a reman. So I think both are right, but it’s completely guessing.

HammerheadFistpunch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 09/25/2015 at 11:19

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What brand did you buy? they seem to be no end of options.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:21

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I’m pretty sure that mine were remans from raysbestos, but I’d have no issue with centric or beck-arnley or other reputable companies either. Basically the same rule of thumb with most parts.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:21

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Have you considered using an alternative braking method?

HammerheadFistpunch > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 09/25/2015 at 11:24

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The trouble is THAT is what im trying to slow down.

LongbowMkII > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 09/25/2015 at 11:26

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I think my toyota replacements were beck-arnley.

Berang > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:27

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I just rebuild them myself. If it’s a stuck piston it’s usually just the rubber seal has petrified. Worst case scenario is the piston itself has corroded or been damaged.

I don’t know that it being OEM or not would make much if any difference, it’s just a big chunk of metal, pretty hard to mess up.

LongbowMkII > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:28

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Also, unless they are made from pure Mithril, no Toyota caliper is worth $480

HammerheadFistpunch > Berang 09/25/2015 at 11:33

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I would rebuilt it myself, but the kit is $120 for the cheapest one I’ve found, which is 2x what a reman would cost. Of course I think its a kit for both fronts so that might be it.

HammerheadFistpunch > LongbowMkII 09/25/2015 at 11:33

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Yeah, I couldn’t figure that one out.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:38

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Pep Boys are surprisingly OEM remans

jariten1781 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:43

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I’ve used el-cheap remanufactured calipers every time I’ve needed to replace one just because I’ve always been in a hurry...no time to research or whatever. I have no clue what their quality is, but anecdotally: I’ve never had one fail. Back left on my Miata is over a decade old and still stopping.

HammerheadFistpunch > jariten1781 09/25/2015 at 11:47

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I think, from what I hear, that these are typically good stuff. I might just buy a set and go for it. For $44 I can afford to keep my calipers and rebuild them myself if they don’t work out.

Berang > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 11:48

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Does the kit include new pistons? That’s the only way I could imagine them justifying the cost.

I would just get the reman’d ones instead honestly. Rebuilding them is not fun, but on some cars it’s the only option.

HammerheadFistpunch > Berang 09/25/2015 at 11:49

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The procedure for rebuilding looks strairt forward (and yes it comes with 8 new pistons) but I swore off working with DOT fluid years ago. I hate that stuff.

Berang > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 12:00

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Of course it looks simple, brakes look simple, but then you’re trying to pull the old petrified rubber parts out, getting the new ones to fit right, pressing the new pistons in and praying not to mess up the new seals . . . it’s a barrel of laughs. Somebody should do rage quit videos for car repair. ()

When it’s cheap, like $30 a kit it’s worth it, but for $120 - no way.

bryan40oop > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 12:08

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It’s a caliper, they’re not that complicated. A1 cardone has been doing it for years, and most likely they re-man the very caliper that the toyota dealer sells.

Master Cylinder > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 12:10

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I have remanned calipers on my car. They were OEM castings with new pistons and rubber. No issues, and they were pretty cheap.

RallyWrench > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 12:35

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It’s really hit or miss. Some aftermarket remans look like they just spray painted some old OEM parts, others are properly done, with refinished bores and new pistons and seals. I’ve had good luck with Cardone remans, and they show as available for about $105 retail. NuGeon remans have been ok in my experience as well, and can be had for similar prices. I’ve seen one of those show up with a cracked bleeder bore, but otherwise they’ve been ok, I had a set on one of my old BMWs. My vendors show both of those brands in stock, so I’d imagine an Autozone or Napa could get you one. Both are rebuilds of OEM calipers, and you have to send back your core.

The other alternative is buying a seal kit if Toyota sells them, then pop the pistons out yourself with compressed air, at least for an inspection.

Meatcoma > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 12:50

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Remans are normally oem. New are typically not. At least not for that price. And if they are asking for a core, I’m going to assume they are oem.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HammerheadFistpunch 09/25/2015 at 18:27

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No experience with reman calipers.

I would say a cheap caliper is safer than a stuck caliper.

If the rebuild kit was $30, I’d say teh kit but if the reman are cheaper, screw it reman it is.

orcim > HammerheadFistpunch 09/26/2015 at 04:32

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I’ve done 4 reman’s over the years, and they’ve all been fine. Besides, at that price and considering how (usually!!!) dirt easy it is to replace them, I’d just replace it if there was a problem. Overall, you get 2 chances for success for less money and time than if you rebuilt (and we won’t talk about the $480.)

Besides, depending on the age, I had some corrosion inside my last one. That would have not just been a rebuild, but a grinding out and sealing. Not worth it.

Autofixation > Berang 09/28/2015 at 18:23

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I rebuilt a caliper once... Not doing it again. It is simple in concept, but getting the new seals in is a pain.