I've got 230,000 miles on my car, and I'm pretty sure they're the original calipers. Well, they were the originals when I bought the car in '94 at 65,000 miles! Should I replace or rebuild 'em just for the hell of it, due to age/wear & tear?

I have no problems with the front brakes at all... but have any of you replaced/rebuilt the fronts for the hell of it? I might just rebuild my fronts, since I know how to do it, and I'd trust my rebuild job more than someone else's...?

 

I'd do it just 'cause you're in there. Doesn't hurt to have more new stuff that you won't have to replace later, non-1LE calipers are cheap anyway if that's what you have. Might as well upgrade to braided hoses if you haven't already.

 

Normally I would say there's no need unless the piston is sticking or the caliper is leaking but in your case if your getting ready to do your next brake job I would say do it. As many miles as you have on it it's probably only a matter of time before they start to leak. Especially if you compress the piston back in to put new pads on you'll be putting stress on the rubber seal in a direction that it's not use to recieving it, and will probably weaken or tear it. Don't bother with them unless your ready to replace pads, not worth the effort.

Also like mentioned above it wouldn't hurt to replace the brake hoses also. New hoses will give you a stiffer brake pedal and shorter stopping distance, if you want the ultimate go for the braided type for around 75 bucks for complete set front and rear, these will decrease stopping distance even more over stock.

 

Thanks for the opinions, guys! The front calipers are the oldest pieces on my car (unless you count this "temporary" rear axle's rear brake hardware), and if 350turbo411 says he paid only $12/caliper, I should probably get 'em outta there.

I'm planning to rebuild the whole front suspension this summer, and while I replaced the front hoses about 5 years ago, I will definately be doing them again. Basically, besides the steering knuckle and lower control arm (I count the bushings as separate), if I take it off the car, I'll replace it. So far that makes the list:

PST rebuild kit (or ES, can't decide, but probably ES)
new center link
new idler arm
new rotors
new brake hoses
new calipers
new brake pads
new struts
new springs
...newly maxxed out credit card

 

I'm right there with you, Tom. Next week I begin to tear down my Iroc...new suspension from Moog and ES, Spohn LCAs, panhard rod, and subframes when they go back into production, Eibach springs, and 1LE brakes. I've just adopted the theory that while it's apart, I'm gonna replace it.

Good luck!

Ed