Re: Advice Requested / Brake Calipers

[Ambitious1]

Looking for advice on front and rear calipers. My front right caliper has seized and is going to have to be replaced. I am thinking of going ahead and replacing all four since all of them seem to be in really rough shape and look like they are original to the car. Spoke to the dealer and OEM calipers are obsolete and no longer offered new. The ones offered on numerous websites are Reman. I noticed PowerStop makes calipers as well. I have used PowerStop rotors and brake pads in the past and the quality seems to be very good. Anyone have any experience with PowerStop brake calipers? Thank you in advance.

[Mr. Man]

OEM calipers were made by Cardone. I've replaced a couple with Cardone, so far so good.

[Logan86]

I have no issue with reman parts, especially hard parts like calipers. The internals and wear parts are all new so the only "used" stuff you are getting is the body.

[Ambitious1]

So I am looking at the Reman caliper choices by Cardone and it seems there are two options: Steel or Phenolic piston. Which may be the better option for daily driving with a few spirited runs may be a couple times a summer? Anyone have any preference or notice any difference?

[vkirkend]

steel pistons!!!!!

[Mr. Man]

Steel.....

[offroadkarter]

So I am looking at the Reman caliper choices by Cardone and it seems there are two options: Steel or Phenolic piston. Which may be the better option for daily driving with a few spirited runs may be a couple times a summer? Anyone have any preference or notice any difference?

Where are you seeing steel piston front calipers? IIRC that only existed on aero body police cars, I looked for steel piston 03+ calipers and found none.

[Ambitious1]

Where are you seeing steel piston front calipers? IIRC that only existed on aero body police cars, I looked for steel piston 03+ calipers and found none.

That's what I found confusing. I have been calling around comparing prices and options with four or five stores and a representative from Autozone and another representative from NAPA asked me whether I had phenolic or steel / metal on my car. I thought they were all phenolic by '03 (if not earlier), but some people advised me that Ford used either option interchangeably on the panther platform.

[offroadkarter]

but some people advised me that Ford used either option interchangeably on the panther platform.

That was true on aero body and (I believe) box body panthers. I assumed this was true for us but after a lot of digging and asking around it turns out it wasn't. Phenolic is your option.


Also to touch back on an earlier post, I've never heard of Cardone producing OEM calipers, let alone ours. They're in the business of reman parts.