Brake caliper failures and how to prevent them

[jreed]

At the risk of resuscitating an old thread, I wanted to let you guys know that Napa is having a 20% off sale through Jan 7, 2024 and calipers are included in the sale.

[jreed]

Do you think these would work on the rear caliper brake line on my 97 855 GLT?
https://www.amazon.com/Inverted-Fitting ... 6Z14L?th=1

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[FireFox31]

I added some new content to the first page. A rear caliper failed when the boots let go of the body. Probably due to weak internal metal clamp bands. Consider replacing those with boots that use external metal spring clips. I have another set with those and they look fine. I'll add pics at some point.

[abscate]

If you watch or subscribe to Napa feed, you can buy those recommended NAPA calipers at 20% off list on events occurring every 3-4 months, often centered on holidays

They are running about $90 with core at NAPA right now, the fitment chart isn’t perfect, make sure you get single sliding pistons for AWD CARS, dual piston fixed calipers for FWD cars.

The NAPA brand with unlimited replacememt are $150 with core.

Warranty is 2 years ON Nugeon brand

Right Now, code America gets you 20% off until October 15

FCP is only carrying Volvo OE for rear calipers at $300 = $200+100 core.

You’ll need two replacements to make that pay!

[scot850]

I bought the Nugeon brand calipers on clearance for the P2 I have been working on. They were on clearance with the 2 year warranty. Hoping the 2nd set has all the parts they should come with. First set did not have one of the caliper brackets.

Price was $30 ea from Rock Auto + $30 shipping. No core charge thankfully as it makes them uneconomic to buy from Canada as return shipping is a killer.

Neil.

[jreed]

That's a great deal. I ended up purchasing the NAPA Adaptive One Rear calipers in January, Napa part numbers 1496XB left rear, and 1496XA right rear with 11mm diameter mounting holes. These are the ones that they electrocoat with black paint to slow down the rusting. At the time they were $72 each not including the core charge. They've been working OK with no issues noted, but it has only been about 6 months / a few thousand miles since I installed them.

[FireFox31]

The NAPA brand with unlimited replacememt are $150 with core.

Your reply was full of great information, thanks. Where do you see an option to buy the unlimited replacement? They didn't mention that in the store when I bought them, twice.

I'd pay a lot more than $50 extra for a lifetime warranty on calipers, and would pay 5x that for them to never break again. This untimely failure cost me a set of rear pads and rear rotors, and many hours when I'm short on time. Thankfully it didn't stop the car from running, but it was close.

Volvo OEM calipers have body rust in a short period of time in gentle use. I've seen NAPA Adaptive One powder coating resist rust for many years even when abused. Thus, I recommend NAPA.

I ended up purchasing the NAPA Adaptive One Rear calipers in January, Napa part numbers 1496XB left rear, and 1496XA right rear with 11mm diameter mounting holes.

Check if yours have the exterior snap ring around the boots' connection to the caliper. One of mine does, but the failed one with 2019 date code had an internal band which failed, ruining the pistons and my pads and rotors. That 2019 caliper had the old part number SE2253 (rear right) so maybe their boots were upgraded some time after that.

I think the boot kit (from ATE?) at FCP has external snap rings. I used to think those rings would rust and fail, but I had internal bands fail on two calipers in the past 18 months so I'm all for external snap rings now.

[abscate]

Here’s the Volvo ones, made by ATE, of course

External snap ring it is.

You download the warranty on the NAPA AS A pdf, but I think you are right, it’s a once replacememt warranty.

Since caliper off is 95% of rotor off on the rears, I don’t mind if the rotors get torched on the job. Guess who’s paying fir my rotors, too?

[MoVolvos]

.
I've only replaced and honed a couple of rear brake shoe cylinders back in the day. I think the two times I've had a sticking caliper seen from uneven pad wear I just bled the system. Start by pushing the brake pedal when the caliper has been removed but with the line intact. This will extend the piston and fill the caliper bore full of fluid when bleeding. This way if there are any rust in the line it will come out the first time. If the fluid is really rusty I will remove the piston and clean the bore with fine sand paper along with any corrosion found on the piston. This has only happened twice and the cleaning with fine sand paper did the job.

As for preventive I'll either bleed the calipers or flush the entire system with a brake job. I will extract the fluid in the reservoir and replace with clean before bleeding or a flush.
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[abscate]

This is a place where the 2-3 year replacement of brake fluid, an often-neglected scheduled maintenance item, pays off in saved labour. In the rusty climates, Replace your bleeders too, and send the old ones back for credit