Leaky calipers...replace or re-seal? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

AuburnRyan · 04-17-2003, 12:17 PM

My rear calipers (or at least 1 of them) is leaking....so Nissan of course wants $600 for the rear brake job...but NO, I'm not that dumb...my rears have always produced more dust and gunk than the fronts since I bought the car last june. I wanna get it fixed now that the weather is again permitting

So my question is...Do I go to autozone and buy the new (rebuilt)calipers for $75 each, or do I buy the "re-seal" kit from Courtesy nissan for $35 for the entire rear end? Is this a DIY "re-build" or am I better off with new parts? How difficult is the rebuild/seal? I can't imagine what it entails but wouldn;'t think it difficult?

Thanks

Tyler Durdan · 04-17-2003, 12:45 PM

When I bought my 300zx calipers from the junkyard, I ended up rebuilding/resealing them for creature benefits. If I was you, I would just do a rebuild them....$40.00 bucks to be spent on a stb or two lap dances

.
It's a pretty simple job, but be careful when pulling the piston, and reinstalling the piston...any scratches on the inside of the piston or cylinder can cause a real problem. Use an air compressor hooked up to the brake hardlines, and slowly up the pressure on the air compressor to "pop" the piston out of the cylinder. Use a steel wool cloth to gently remove any gunk on the insides. Replace lubricated seals, reinstall piston, install caliper, and bleed the brakes to hell and back. Simple and straight foward.

P.M. me if you need more specific instructions...this is just the basic run down.

AuburnRyan · 04-18-2003, 01:07 PM

Ok, THANKS TYLER! I'm gonna give it a try....

on another note, I'd like an extra set or rears just in case, so everyone check the WTB forum or email me at [email protected] with offers...thinking around $30 plus shipping?

twitchy · 04-18-2003, 11:49 PM

Thats good to know, since I am going to need new brakes on the back as well. I had my friend (who is also my mechanic) take a look at them and the seal is going too, it will at some point start to leak.

(HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT LEAKS IE WHERE DO YOU SEE FLUID?)

What I like to do every so often is to take the calipers off the car when I have an afternoon and clean them and grease the pins so they move more freely. When you get new calipers (if thats what you do) I have some tips my mechanic friend told me..

1) Grease the hell out of the pins with brake grease

2) Put never seize all over the part of the brake rotor that sits flush against the...er...thinghy that the studs come out of? That saves you from needing a hammer and from any associated damage later on.. (thats if you change your rotors too)

04-17-2003, 12:17 PM	#1
AuburnRyan Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 272 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Leaky calipers...replace or re-seal? My rear calipers (or at least 1 of them) is leaking....so Nissan of course wants $600 for the rear brake job...but NO, I'm not that dumb...my rears have always produced more dust and gunk than the fronts since I bought the car last june. I wanna get it fixed now that the weather is again permitting So my question is...Do I go to autozone and buy the new (rebuilt)calipers for $75 each, or do I buy the "re-seal" kit from Courtesy nissan for $35 for the entire rear end? Is this a DIY "re-build" or am I better off with new parts? How difficult is the rebuild/seal? I can't imagine what it entails but wouldn;'t think it difficult? Thanks __________________ '93 Fastback LE - Wrecked '91 Fastback HICAS and LSD - Sold '93 Fastback SE - Current

04-17-2003, 12:45 PM	#2
Tyler Durdan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Don't mess with Texas Posts: 546 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	When I bought my 300zx calipers from the junkyard, I ended up rebuilding/resealing them for creature benefits. If I was you, I would just do a rebuild them....$40.00 bucks to be spent on a stb or two lap dances . It's a pretty simple job, but be careful when pulling the piston, and reinstalling the piston...any scratches on the inside of the piston or cylinder can cause a real problem. Use an air compressor hooked up to the brake hardlines, and slowly up the pressure on the air compressor to "pop" the piston out of the cylinder. Use a steel wool cloth to gently remove any gunk on the insides. Replace lubricated seals, reinstall piston, install caliper, and bleed the brakes to hell and back. Simple and straight foward. P.M. me if you need more specific instructions...this is just the basic run down. __________________ "Pure adrenaline attached to a license plate.  Isn't it time to experience one yourself?"                           -Dan Gurney Turbo for Sale

04-18-2003, 01:07 PM	#3
AuburnRyan Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 272 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok, THANKS TYLER! I'm gonna give it a try.... on another note, I'd like an extra set or rears just in case, so everyone check the WTB forum or email me at [email protected] with offers...thinking around $30 plus shipping? __________________ '93 Fastback LE - Wrecked '91 Fastback HICAS and LSD - Sold '93 Fastback SE - Current

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04-18-2003, 11:49 PM	#4
twitchy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,579 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thats good to know, since I am going to need new brakes on the back as well. I had my friend (who is also my mechanic) take a look at them and the seal is going too, it will at some point start to leak. (HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT LEAKS IE WHERE DO YOU SEE FLUID?) What I like to do every so often is to take the calipers off the car when I have an afternoon and clean them and grease the pins so they move more freely. When you get new calipers (if thats what you do) I have some tips my mechanic friend told me.. 1) Grease the hell out of the pins with brake grease 2) Put never seize all over the part of the brake rotor that sits flush against the...er...thinghy that the studs come out of? That saves you from needing a hammer and from any associated damage later on.. (thats if you change your rotors too)