One caliper hard to bleed

[E Showell]

Rebuilt calipers, regardless of source & "brand" never seem to last me more than about 2 years.

[abscate]

My Cardone front calipers are going on 4 years 40k miles

[theWIFES_S70]

My FCP Cardones are at 3 yrs now... They are rusted to all hell though.

[mrbrian200]

If the caliper compresses normally/easily with the bleeder screw open, but bleeds difficult via pressing the brake pedal then it's almost always the brake hose that's bad. The internal rubber hose swells. Because it's surrounded by a steel reinforcement that can't expand the swelling collapses the center passage that normally carries the brake fluid. Sometimes there's a cause for it (incorrect brake fluid or moisture intrusion) Sometimes it just happens. Other possibilities (less likely but if after removing the flexible brake hose you still have trouble pressing fluid through the line) are a problem with the master cylinder, ABS module, or a kinked/crushed steel brake line somewhere between the master cylinder and the flexible hose that reaches out to the wheel/caliper in question.

[jimmy57]

In addition to hose issues the ABS module can have a sticking valve. Someone needs to press brake pedal and then loosen the line for the RR caliper to see that fluid comes out with force. The person depressing pedal should hold constant pressure when this is done and should not let off until you secure the line connection.

[rguzz]

Lots of useful info on this thread, very nice.

[abscate]

My Cardone front calipers are going on 4 years 40k miles

Update. Shortly after this post one of them went and the next Cardone rusted solid in 20 months.

The pistons and slider pins were pot metal. Yo the cheap price of the rebuilds , add another $32 per caliper for real SS slide pins and another $50-100 of Labour, depending on your " personal rate "

Sufddenly Volvos aren't that expensive