Is my caliper junk?

[pomerjon]

I started to change the brake pads on my 03 expedition XLT and everything was going smooth till I tried to compress the pistons. I took the cap of the fluid reservoir and and grabbed my c clamp and the first piston when in easy but the second piston would not budge I even bent the handle of the clamp so I was going to pump the brakes so the first piston would come back out and I could try compressing them both at the same time. When I pump the brakes the compressed piston came completely out and fluid squirted out around it, and the other piston is still rock hard. So im asking weather or not there is a way to put that piston back it correctly and get the other piston compressed? Or am I getting a new caliper?

 

[stamp11127]

New caliper. Why risk the new pads since there is an issue with the piston/bore already?

 

[pomerjon]

New caliper. Why risk the new pads since there is an issue with the piston/bore already?

I bought cheap $25 pads because the rotors are not great and im planing on re-replacing the pads with new rotors in a week or two. Hoping I dont need extra cost of a caliper.

 

[stamp11127]

You do need a rebuilt caliper, period. Do it right and you do it once.....

 

[pomerjon]

You do need a rebuilt caliper, period. Do it right and you do it once.....

I was just watching a video on using a rebuild kit might give it a shot. Thanks for the advise.

 

[stamp11127]

Up to you but the piston is already stuck in the bore. The bore may be pitted which will cause the piston to stick again. I haven't looked for a rebuild kit in the last 20 years as most places don't stock them - good luck with that.

 

[pomerjon]

Up to you but the piston is already stuck in the bore. The bore may be pitted which will cause the piston to stick again. I haven't looked for a rebuild kit in the last 20 years as most places don't stock them - good luck with that.

I see what your saying. A rebuilt isnt all that expensive with the core so ima just do that. If i only replace one caliper do I need to bleed all 4?

 

[stamp11127]

It depends on the age of the brake fluid but do all of them anyway. Change the fluid before adding the new caliper to the system, install new caliper then bleed it. That way you are not introducing old / dirty fluid in the new caliper.

 

[Lostneye]

IF you can find a rebuild kit I would bet the cost difference isn't worth the difference between just buying a caliper. Especially when the bore on the existing caliper could be messed up.

 

[Skauber]

Rockauto sells rebuild kits. It can be quite a price difference if you ship internationally, but if you live in the US the price difference is so small, specially if you return the core for a refund, that there honestly is no point in wasting time attempting to rebuild the caliper. In a place like where I live, where you can bring it to a shop with the rebuild kit and have them rebuild it for 5 bucks, I would still be more likely to just go with a complete caliper I know have been rebuilt properly...

 

[steelnewfie]

Agree with the others. Don't bother to rebuild or try and work the caliper free. It might work for a few days but will seize again for sure. I learned my lesson the hard and labor intensive way. Just buy a new one and get a refund for your old core.