Replacing a Caliper question
 

Not the Porsche this time but the mechanics should be the same.
The wife's 380SL (which she drives like my Grandmother) has a leaking front caliper. I plan to replace it with a rebuilt one and put new pads on both sides of the front.
Is there some compelling reason to replace both calipers if only one is leaking?

consider it preventive maintence and even wear and tear on one set of brakes.

Granted that it is probably wiser but for time and money sake, am I OK with putting on just the one side?

at least exercise the old pistons and lift inside the dirt shield for fluid.

Not much more time and much cheaper would be to rebuild them both.

2nd

I'm of the opinion that brake components should be changed in pairs. Doing one side only in something like this is what kicks a vehicle's value in the a$$ over time.

caliper rebuild
 

my front caliper was sticking when I first bought my car and so i went ahead and rebuilt all four and when I took apart the rear, I found out that one of them was also seized with the pads down to 1/16th of an inch, while all other pads were like new.

I would second doing all of them if not done in a while. Brakes are one of the items you don't want failing, especially if your significant other is driving....

I am not sure how effective a simple rebuild kit will be for leaky calipers tho.. I have heard that if they leak, sommetimes it is easier to buy new calipers or have them split and completely overhauled.

I've rebuild a few of them on other cars that were leaking. Usually piston and cylinder needs a cleaning up. There is an inexpensive hone at parts store.

I'm a little spooked about splitting any caliper after doing a pair and one of them sucked air without leaking brake fluid. That was a fun job. I had another one drive me nuts. The caliper became air porous, again no fluid leak. That was another fun diagnosis chasing my tail.