Recommendations on a caliper rebuild kit?

[Falcon_LS]

I'm going to be servicing the front brakes on my Marquis, which will include OE Ford (not Motorcraft) rotors, Raybestos police pads and rebuilding the calipers. I'm also flushing out the system and refilling with DOT 4.

I've been looking online at NAPA and Autozone, as well as RockAuto, but I haven't found any rebuild kits - just rebuilt calipers. Are these sold under a different title, so to speak? Does anyone have any recommendations for a specific brand? Thanks!

 

[RedCorvette]

Go to Ford / Motorcraft parts website and search for a caliper repair kit. Should be able to find the part number there.

 

[Mud]

I've used Carlson and Centric rebuild kits on the vics without any issues at all.
www.rockauto.com has them under Caliper Repair Kit.

In my case it was Centric 14361030 for rears, Carlson 41161 for fronts. The rears were the larger diameter phenolic piston calipers, not the smaller diameter steel piston calipers.

I also replace the boots, Carslon 16122 kit for 2 calipers and use specific lube to grease the slide pins.

IMO all in all a very cost effective way to get rebuilt calipers at a fraction of the cost. I use a bolt/nut to trap and seal the end of the brake hose fitting where the banjo bolt goes since I like to clean and paint the calipers as well. Avoids the system bleeding dry since I don't have the tools to cycle/bleed the ABS unit.

Your call on the cop pads, I really like and use ceramic pads on just about everything I drive.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks for the input as always!

One thing I forgot to mention was that I'm also replacing the front brake hoses whilst I'm at it. Might as well go all the way.

Reason I'm rebuilding is because the front wheels do not spin freely. When the car's up on stands, you need to put a slight bit of effort to spin the front wheels (especially the left) and it stops after a second or so. Sometimes it also pulls to one side.

The rears are pretty good, I also have the phenolic pistons. The car was equipped with "heavy duty" brakes according to the build sheet, so I suppose that's why it didn't come with the steel pistons.

 

[nwjones18]

How much do you save by rebuilding yourself? I know its simple, but rebuilt calipers at advance are very affordable. Esp if you use the code. I know a friend that bought a rebuild kit for his neon's calipers and he spent $5 less than just getting one from the store..

 

[Vikas]

I am wondering about the logistics involved here. Do you have NAPA and autozone there? Do they ship to Kuwait?

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: nwjones18
How much do you save by rebuilding yourself? I know its simple, but rebuilt calipers at advance are very affordable. Esp if you use the code. I know a friend that bought a rebuild kit for his neon's calipers and he spent $5 less than just getting one from the store..


Originally Posted By: Vikas
I am wondering about the logistics involved here. Do you have NAPA and autozone there? Do they ship to Kuwait?


I use a freight forwarding service to buy stuff from US stores. Depending on the weight/dimensions of the item, it may not be feasible to import - e.g. calipers, discs, etc.

I can get repair kits locally, turns out it's $21 for the Carslon repair kits and the boots (both sides). So it is actually cheaper than a new caliper at $60 each.

 

[doitmyself]

It's good that you have the phenolic pistons. When I considered rebuilding some Escort calipers with corroded, chromed steel pistons, the cost of the pistons and rebuild kit was only about $10 less than buying rebuilt calipers.

 

[Mud]

Removing the brake hoses actually makes for an easy plug with a golf tee, rubber plug, or similar at the end of the hard line.

I would also give the rotors a clean-up turning and swap them side to side

 

[nwjones18]

Sorry I was paying no attention to your Location!