My front left caliper is bad, Need Advise.

AhmedS70 · Post by **AhmedS70** » 15 Sep 2016, 21:32

Hello All

I took my car to a local goodyear auto shop to get the alignment done on my 1999 Volvo S70. I told them to check the brakes also and they told me that the Front left caliper is bad and will need to be replaced as soon as possible. They gave me an estimate of $200 with parts and labor to replace it with an after market one. I have heard some people say that who need to replace both of the calipers at once. They right side one is working just fine so do I still need to replace both of them. Also if I replace the calipers do I have to flush the brake fluid also.

Post by **cn90** » 15 Sep 2016, 22:03

- Get a rebuilt caliper from NAPA Auto for $49. LT warranty.
This is what I did: a rebuilt caliper and for the opposite caliper, I rebuilt it using the kit (see link below).

- By this time, your car will need new hoses.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=37721

Post by **sleddriver** » 15 Sep 2016, 23:30

I rebuilt both of my front calipers years ago. Job was easy and parts very reasonable. I live in Tx though, not IL so nothing was rusted.

Post by **tryingbe** » 15 Sep 2016, 23:33

Did the shop says why the caliper needs to be replaced?

I'd replace one first. If you need to replace the other.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Sep 2016, 07:57

You can replace one as long as they don't come loaded - i.e., with brake pads.

I did one at a time on the T5 and had to put the car up again 6-9 months later, though.

Post by **benpineapple** » 16 Sep 2016, 09:04

When I did front calipers and brake lines, the hardest part was removing the brake line from the upper clip. I'm in MI, we salt our roads here (not sure if they salt down in Naperville), so things get pretty rusty. Anyways, I ended up using vice-grips instead of a box wrench to deinstall. Make sure you don't twist the steel lines while disconnecting.

AhmedS70 · Post by **AhmedS70** » 16 Sep 2016, 14:42

FCP Euro has one for $36.99 on sale for a remanufactured one. Thinking of buying that one.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... emi-loaded

Post by **scot850** » 16 Sep 2016, 22:51

I have used Cardone re-man'd units several times with no issues.

Neil.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Sep 2016, 02:20

Not sure I trust a tire shop with your Volvo.... a friend of mine recently went to a "Free Service" tire shop for tires and they talked her into all new calipers, rotors and pads and Zinged her for over $1200. I asked if she got the old parts back? She did not. I asked her if there were any problems with her brakes before this? She did not know as the car seemed to drive fine. I suspect that actually absolutely nothing needed to be replaced. I was hot headed about this and encouraged her to call me before any service is rendered on her car again. These places are notorious for fixing things that don't need fixing and also charging for and "replacing" things without sometimes even doing the work.

AhmedS70 · Post by **AhmedS70** » 20 Sep 2016, 14:34

Ok I bought the Cardone Left caliper from FCP. I also bought the brake line hose and the brake fluid since the brake fluid will have to be flushed anyway. I much labor can I expect to pay a mechanic for this job.