Brake Caliper refurb

IP freely

Hi all,

I'm getting a tad fed up changing brake calipers on both my partner and I's cars.

Not so much hers (only gone through 2 on an 08 Auris) but my own defiantly. I drive an 01 WRX estate, so generally they are pretty sore on brakes, due to more weight to stop, but I live on a crappy road with more tractors than cars traversing on it which in turn brings lots of muck and dirt onto the road with clogs up calipers fairly fast.

I'm about to go onto my 3rd front caliper in 8 months (5th in total) the problem being that second hand seems to be the only option (a €825 exc vat price tag from a main dealer is the other but that might take 4 months to come!!! ) through breakers the only problem is you cannot be 100% sure what your buying.

I have done some looking and you can get piston kits for them for the around €150 for a set for the front (8 pistons) and around €130 a corner from the main dealer. The problem I have is finding someone to do them, my mechanic reckons they are notoriously difficult on the 4 pit Subaru calipers.

I have watched some online videos and to be honest it doesn't seem that bad, removing the old piston and keeping all your fingers seems the worst bit!

Anyone done this themselves and how did ye find it? Or anyone any suggestions as to someone who could do it for me and not charge an arm and a leg?

Thanks, I'm in the NW.

George Dalton

Most calipers can be bought reconditioned on an exchange basis at reasonable cost. A DIY "recon" of just fitting a seal kit is rarely a long lasting solution because very often the piston and/or bores in the caliper are corroded so the new seals don't last.

CJhaughey

Try Brakeparts international
This link suggests they are more than reasonable for parts, especially with the exchange caliper.
http://brakeparts.co.uk/#page=parts&pageSection=BHF&mancode=SUBA&brand=SUBARU&model=IMPREZA&modelversion=IMP*%2800-06%29+G^A+2.0+WRX+4X4+TURBO