does anyone have an opinion on how long calipers last ?

Managed a 30 mile trip today, and had a hot rear wheel when I returned, I suspect a sticking caliper, when I did a visual inspection, they look well rusted and ancient, they have been on the car since I got it 4 years ago.

If I get new ones, has anyone got any recommendations on where to buy them, ie good product and decent price ?

Thanks 2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

I have rebuilt many calipers with new seals, pistons etc - I would not replace the whole caliper without good reason - if you have a warm one then it will need a rebuild likely, it isn't difficult.

The worst type I came across was on a Jeep - it had phenolic pistons which were like cheese.... 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 Manual Dynamic
1956/7 88" Series One Land Rover
1956/7 88" Series One Land Rover - undergoing restoration

thanks for that, what isn't difficult for you will definitely be difficult for me, some mechanic will get the job . . 2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

I bet that the problem will be a sticking caliper slider that needs cleaning & re lubing

Hi,
calipers aren't really a Service item that gets replaced after a set time or mileage like Filters and the like do.

They do need maintenance though and as Jack Frost says may well be the sliders that want a coat of looking at

when were your pads last changed if their more than half worn and your (someone!) is going to strip and clean the brakes, you might be as well to pop a new set of pads and slider pins in
(new pads means the caliper pistons are back inside the caliper then as well)

oh and I said those wheels were expensive

 .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

I had mine done before Xmas . At 11 years old and having seen plenty of mud and cow muck , I wasn’t about to mess around trying to save a few bob . If the calipers are coming off , you might as well do the rear discs as well . All up with parts from Eurocarparts ordered by the mechanic ( who fitted them on a weekend for cash ) parts and labour came to £300 -ish including the handbrake shoes my 09 needed . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Ever changed the brake fluid?

Thought not. brake fluid is hygroscopic, that means it absorbs water from the atmosphere over time. This water has a couple of bad consequences.
The water lowers the boiling point, which means that the fluid can boil (= no brakes) under heavy braking.
The water causes corrosion on metal parts such as brake cylinders and calipers, corrosion on pistons / cylinders = early seal failure.

Fairly sure than manufacturers recommend brake fluid change every 2 years, 4 years is my personal opinion. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Changed my fluid when i purchased the LR2 used but did my brakes and changed my brake lines to SS about 8 months ago; my next fluid change will be to Motul 5.1........

I've got 4L of brake fluid DOT4 sitting on the shelf - was opened once in 2017 and not been been opened since then.

Keep or throw away ?

Seems a waste but Im thinking chuck it and using new fluid when I change the front disks and install SS hoses when it gets a bit warmer. Jules

I'd just dispose of it legally but it really depends on how well it was closed up and sealed after you opened it. I like the Motul 5.1 personally!

September 2019, new rear discs and pads and fluid . . . .only 1,500 miles done since then . . . . (rear brake shoes November 2017)


lack of use I guess has seized a caliper 2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

Only time ever replaced calipers was on my disco 2. A dealer was selling genuine new LR calipers for something like £70 for the pair. I didn't actually need them replaced but it was too good a deal to pass up. Old ones still worked fine but popped the new ones on anyway. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

[quote="riverblanche"
oh and I said those wheels were expensive

[/quote]





Hilarious  2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

I'd agree that starting with the slider pins would be good - lube with silicone or red rubber grease - definitely NOT copper grease or anything that will eat the dust boots (which may well need replacing as well).

Nice car history BTW (except for the Minis ) I like a Honda (had a 2003 new shape Accord Exec & 2nd car is now Civic EX Plus) I always wanted a Legend  2014 Freelander 2 TD4 Manual Dynamic
1956/7 88" Series One Land Rover
1956/7 88" Series One Land Rover - undergoing restoration

Calipers have a finite life, especially if fluid changes are infrequent.

No point in messing about with new seals and spending hours cleaning the old ones. Simply buy some new OE calipers and fit those, along with new hoses.

My own SE had clearly not been maintained to a very high standard, the brakes included, so over Christmas it got 4 new rotors, along with 4 new calipers, 4 hoses and all the friction materials needed.
The brakes are now factory fresh, which of course is how brakes should always be. 2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Soon to be sold.
Hyundai Ionic 5 Ultimate on order.
Gone. 2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE.