When to replace stock calipers?

[HotRaud90]

Haven't found much on this topic after some searching. I'm getting ready to install SS lines from TCE and I'm wondering if I need to replace the calipers. Car just turned 90k on the clock and I haven't serviced the brakes in the past 17k miles. Fairly squeak free, only the occasional squeaks here and there - mostly when the brakes are cold. I do not have service records on the vehicle as P.O. didn't own the car long before he sold it to me.

Any need to rebuild or just get new ones? I'd rather not if there's no need to. I will be inspecting everything when I pull it apart tomorrow, but 90k seems high for the life of calipers that see a good bit of city driving. Any suggestions or experience from those that have/haven't replaced theirs?

[Turbov6Bryan]

If they aren't leaking, sticking or making the car pull during stopping then I wouldn't worry about replacing them due to mileage

I'm sure cabs get over 300k on the stock calipers before issues arise

My DD MM has 195,000 and are working excellent

[lifespeed]

The slider pins typically wear and are well worth replacing as they affect equal application of the pads. Cheap and easy. If you don't have obvious indications of sticking pistons, damaged dust seals, etc caliper replacement is probably not needed. Bleed the system, of course, and don't compress the pistons without opening the bleeder so as to avoid pushing gunk up the lines into the ABS valves.

Also, work quickly, carefully and keep the master cylinder full while replacing the brake hoses to avoid allowing air to reach the ABS hydraulic unit so as to avoid the need to bleed it using the Ford IDS tool to cycle the ABS.

[Mr. Man]

I recently needed to buy one rear caliper as it was seizing. Other 3 seem to be working fine. Car has 115k+/- mi.

[jsignorelli]

I replaced everything with Corvette calipers when I switched to slotted and cross drilled rotors. Now I can stop the beast!

[daddyusmaximus]

I replaced everything with Corvette calipers when I switched to slotted and cross drilled rotors. Now I can stop the beast!

Everything? You have the Corvette calipers on the rear too?

[tbone]

Stock calipers are so cheap, it's like replacing a filter. If in doubt, replace. IMHO

[Bigdogjim]

At 85,000 I am looking at replacing the factory brakes.

I guess nothing last forever....:lol:

[HotRaud90]

If they aren't leaking, sticking or making the car pull during stopping then I wouldn't worry about replacing them due to mileage

I'm sure cabs get over 300k on the stock calipers before issues arise

My DD MM has 195,000 and are working excellent



The slider pins typically wear and are well worth replacing as they affect equal application of the pads. Cheap and easy. If you don't have obvious indications of sticking pistons, damaged dust seals, etc caliper replacement is probably not needed. Bleed the system, of course, and don't compress the pistons without opening the bleeder so as to avoid pushing gunk up the lines into the ABS valves.

Also, work quickly, carefully and keep the master cylinder full while replacing the brake hoses to avoid allowing air to reach the ABS hydraulic unit so as to avoid the need to bleed it using the Ford IDS tool to cycle the ABS.

I have had the car pull slightly to the left a few times when coming to a stop, but this is very intermittent and doesn't happen enough to make me really worry. I'm hoping a good lube and cleaning of everything fixes any issues.

Do worn slider pins show wear in a noticeable way?

[Turbov6Bryan]

I have had the car pull slightly to the left a few times when coming to a stop, but this is very intermittent and doesn't happen enough to make me really worry. I'm hoping a good lube and cleaning of everything fixes any issues.

Do worn slider pins show wear in a noticeable way?

If a front caliper doesn't work, the car will pull a certain direction everytime

Right side frozen itll pull left and vise versa

Possibly you were on a rutted road while stopping causing the car to wander?

Just make sure when you collapse the piston it goes back in with ease, if it fights you it may have had nasty fluid in the past

I suggest anyone who reads this to flush their brake fluid if they haven't done it in the past 3 years
Just had to replace 2 rear calipers on my truck due to nasty fluids

[lifespeed]

I have had the car pull slightly to the left a few times when coming to a stop, but this is very intermittent and doesn't happen enough to make me really worry. I'm hoping a good lube and cleaning of everything fixes any issues.

Do worn slider pins show wear in a noticeable way?

By equal application I meant inside and outside of the rotor, not necessarily left/right of the car. Yeah, you can see wear marks when you take them apart. They're cheap, just replace them.

If the car dives for the ditch (slight, intermittent or otherwise) when you hit the brakes 9 times out of 10 it is worn out suspension. Has yours been rebuilt? How many miles? These are old cars now.

[HotRaud90]

If a front caliper doesn't work, the car will pull a certain direction everytime

Right side frozen itll pull left and vise versa

Possibly you were on a rutted road while stopping causing the car to wander?

Just make sure when you collapse the piston it goes back in with ease, if it fights you it may have had nasty fluid in the past

I suggest anyone who reads this to flush their brake fluid if they haven't done it in the past 3 years
Just had to replace 2 rear calipers on my truck due to nasty fluids

I'll be doin a thorough flush when I swap the lines. I'll see how everything goes when I collapse the piston.


By equal application I meant inside and outside of the rotor, not necessarily left/right of the car. Yeah, you can see wear marks when you take them apart. They're cheap, just replace them.

If the car dives for the ditch (slight, intermittent or otherwise) when you hit the brakes 9 times out of 10 it is worn out suspension. Has yours been rebuilt? How many miles? These are old cars now.

I'll prob replace the pins if they look like trash. Funny you ask about the suspension. I just ordered new front upper control arms and shocks all around. Went with Monroe Severes. I'm sure that will help the overall feel of the car. Current arms have thrashed joint boots, and as far as I know the shocks are what it came off the factory line with. Car just turned 90k.

I'm just interested to see what the calipers will look like once I get them off for inspection.

[1Marauder]

You will LOVE the new shocks/struts!