Replacing a Caliper question

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

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?

RoninLB · 02-27-2009, 04:42 PM

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

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

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

RoninLB · 02-27-2009, 04:55 PM

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

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

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

makaio · 02-27-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

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

2nd

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

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.

G50targa · G50targa's Garage

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.

RoninLB · 02-27-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G50targa

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.