Cardone brake calipers front and back

Post by **98v70dad** » 28 Mar 2017, 16:34

Please provide comments regarding your service experience with cardone front and/or back rebuilt calipers. The price is right at about $35 but I'm leery of them due to the low cost.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Mar 2017, 16:57

Brake calipers feel good. I am about 16 months into two rebuilt front ones from FCP. But expect them to begin to rust within 48 hrs of installation... no exaggerating!

I'd really go with the more expensive coated ones. But that's just because I think the rust is ugly!

Post by **scot850** » 28 Mar 2017, 17:01

Or buy the cheaper ones and use caliper paint. I have used Cardone calipers on several occasions due to no other options than OE rebuilds. Only had an issue once and that was a badly fitted seal on one piston. Repair shop replaced under warranty as it happened soon after installation.

Neil.

Post by **98v70dad** » 28 Mar 2017, 17:10

theWIFES_S70 wrote: ↑28 Mar 2017, 16:57 Brake calipers feel good. I am about 16 months into two rebuilt front ones from FCP. But expect them to begin to rust within 48 hrs of installation... no exaggerating!

I'd really go with the more expensive coated ones. But that's just because I think the rust is ugly!

Rock auto has the silver powder coated ones (front position) for $35-ish I think. I bought the OE small parts needed to do a rebuild but then realized it will be difficult to do without eating up a whole weekend and I'm tired of working on the volvo (one of my frequent complaints). I could take the old ones off and put new rebuilt ones on pretty quickly - half day maybe even for my slow style. \ I just doubt the parts used in a $35 rebuilt are as good as the OE parts I bought.

So, I thought a little data collected from matthewsvolvosite might help me decide.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Mar 2017, 18:51

98v70dad wrote: ↑28 Mar 2017, 17:10 Rock auto has the silver powder coated ones (front position) for $35-ish I think. I bought the OE small parts needed to do a rebuild but then realized it will be difficult to do without eating up a whole weekend and I'm tired of working on the Volvo (one of my frequent complaints). I could take the old ones off and put new rebuilt ones on pretty quickly - half day maybe even for my slow style. \ I just doubt the parts used in a $35 rebuilt are as good as the OE parts I bought.

So, I thought a little data collected from matthewsvolvosite might help me decide.

I've watched a few caliper rebuild videos on Youtube, the job doesn't seem too difficult. Especially if you're dealing with a newly rebuilt rotor. You won't have to unstick any parts or smooth anything out! I can't imagine you spending more than twenty minutes per rotor, especially if it's already rebuilt.

I get the feeling you "kind of" want to do the caliper rebuild. If you rebuild it with the OE rubber pieces you got and you've got a caliper that is OE quality. I'd love to see some pictures comparing the rubber sleeves on that Cardone caliper to the OE rubber boots you picked up... But if you're really tired of working on the Volvo (and I get it, I have STILL yet to get to my parking brake issue or to begin the KERFLUNK troubleshooting) just install the rebuilt Cardones in there and patiently wait for the next hit to the wallet...

Post by **98v70dad** » 28 Mar 2017, 19:10

theWIFES_S70 wrote: ↑28 Mar 2017, 18:51
98v70dad wrote: ↑28 Mar 2017, 17:10 Rock auto has the silver powder coated ones (front position) for $35-ish I think. I bought the OE small parts needed to do a rebuild but then realized it will be difficult to do without eating up a whole weekend and I'm tired of working on the Volvo (one of my frequent complaints). I could take the old ones off and put new rebuilt ones on pretty quickly - half day maybe even for my slow style. \ I just doubt the parts used in a $35 rebuilt are as good as the OE parts I bought.

So, I thought a little data collected from matthewsvolvosite might help me decide.
I've watched a few caliper rebuild videos on Youtube, the job doesn't seem too difficult. Especially if you're dealing with a newly rebuilt rotor. You won't have to unstick any parts or smooth anything out! I can't imagine you spending more than twenty minutes per rotor, especially if it's already rebuilt.

I get the feeling you "kind of" want to do the caliper rebuild. If you rebuild it with the OE rubber pieces you got and you've got a caliper that is OE quality. I'd love to see some pictures comparing the rubber sleeves on that Cardone caliper to the OE rubber boots you picked up... But if you're really tired of working on the Volvo (and I get it, I have STILL yet to get to my parking brake issue or to begin the KERFLUNK troubleshooting) just install the rebuilt Cardones in there and patiently wait for the next hit to the wallet...

Its cleaning them up before I take them off that I especially want to skip. I had planned to scrub them thoroughly with degreaser, rinse them and then hit them with brake cleaner to aid in drying. I use the OE pads and they are EXTREMELY dusty. Zimmermans and ceramic akebonos are going on along with the rebuild if I do it. I've also got the shoes and springs needed to rebuild the parking brakes which currently don't work. Replacing the seals is no big deal. I agree - 20 minute job each if you don't include the several hours to scrub them off and let them dry and getting the wheels off and replacing the pads and rotors and putting on the parking brake shoes and replacing the hoses and adjusting the parking brakes, etc. Its a lot of stuff....I don't care if they're painted. 20 years old and no rust here in Atlanta Georgia. I'd estimate 2 full days or possibly two whole weekends if I work at my usual slow and steady pace.

Post by **scot850** » 28 Mar 2017, 19:29

Not sure what gets included with the Cardone calipers these days. Some calipers come with refurbished caliper brackets, pad retainer springs (on the front) and slider pins at the front (FWD) and rear (AWD). Only thing to watch for is the quality of the bracket re-furbishing and the rubber slider pin rubber is usually of a poor quality as are the replacement slider pins. If You have the last 2 items in your Volvo kit I'd swap them out from the rebuilt units.

Otherwise it is good to go.

On the rear parking brake cables, read my recent warning on the use of Pro-Parts Sweden cables (rubbish) and the fun installing the new cables at the rear hub. A dremel came in perfect for removing the built up rust in my rear hubs to allow the new cables to slide in with a little Vaseline.

Finally, don't forget to use the tieback plastic straps for the parking brake cables (again see the thread mentioned above).

Good Luck!

Neil.

swe280Z · Post by **swe280Z** » 28 Mar 2017, 20:40

I've not had any problems with a Cardone rebuilt rack and pinion from FCP on my 850 as well as their rebuilt front calipers for my Datsun 280Z. I can buy the calipers locally and not worry about shipping cores. Got a good price on stainless steel DOT-legal braided brake lines from Summit Racing for the Z last Fall.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Mar 2017, 18:41

scot850 wrote: ↑28 Mar 2017, 19:29 Not sure what gets included with the Cardone calipers these days. Some calipers come with refurbished caliper brackets, pad retainer springs (on the front) and slider pins at the front (FWD) and rear (AWD). Only thing to watch for is the quality of the bracket re-furbishing and the rubber slider pin rubber is usually of a poor quality as are the replacement slider pins. If You have the last 2 items in your Volvo kit I'd swap them out from the rebuilt units.

Otherwise it is good to go.

On the rear parking brake cables, read my recent warning on the use of Pro-Parts Sweden cables (rubbish) and the fun installing the new cables at the rear hub. A dremel came in perfect for removing the built up rust in my rear hubs to allow the new cables to slide in with a little Vaseline.

Finally, don't forget to use the tieback plastic straps for the parking brake cables (again see the thread mentioned above).

Would you mind linking the thread for us? I would like to read it, thanks.

Post by **volare** » 29 Mar 2017, 19:25

When I did the front brakes last summer, one of the Cardone calipers had a blocked hole where the springs pop in and I had to bore it out. Wasn't too happy with that so check them carefully when you get them before getting down to business. Aside from that they've been good so far other than insta-rusting.