Consensus on aftermarket / rebuilt calipers and wheel hubs?

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:09 pm

Looks like I am once again in the market for a new caliper plus a new wheel hub. I know to avoid Cardone like the plague, but are there any brands with a better record or to be avoided at all costs?

Post by **abscate** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:47 pm

Im running a Centric rear wheel hub on my T5, and two FAG front hubs. I think the right front is going again, only 4 years 60k miles.

Im afraid to say you have to go Volvo for brakes if you plan on keeping the car and don't like doing calipers every 2 years.

Definitely harvest your caliper pins and don't return them if they don't stick to a magnet. Roll up Aluminum foil and stuff that in the hole - if they deny your core charge tell them thats what they ship back as 'reman'

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:53 pm

I had 1 out of 5 Cardone calipers last over 2 years, rest lasted barely 8 months. The autozone caliper I bought likes to stick, but after a year it still hasn't seized yet *knocks on wood*. I'm going to call up the new machine shop in town and see if they rebuild calipers.

Post by **rguzz** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:39 pm

Sent you a PM.

Post by **June** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:22 pm

abscate wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:47 pm

Im afraid to say you have to go Volvo for brakes if you plan on keeping the car and don't like doing calipers every 2 years.

Do you suppose this is why Volvo requires 2 year or 24,000 mile fluid flush requirement? My original calipers are still working fine at 16 years 188K. Your wagon has like 40 or 50K more than my car. June

Post by **abscate** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:15 pm

My Cardone caliper froze up before the two year brake fluid interval, and it got fresh fluid when it went in. I always put on new bleeders and push 250 ml brake fluid whenever a wheel is open. I could not even remove the cylinder from the split open caliper with massive water pump pliers in a vice. The metal quality belonged in the slag heap

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:54 pm

abscate wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:15 pm My Cardone caliper froze up before the two year brake fluid interval, and it got fresh fluid when it went in. I always put on new bleeders and push 250 ml brake fluid whenever a wheel is open. I could not even remove the cylinder from the split open caliper with massive water pump pliers in a vice. The metal quality belonged in the slag heap

Just 10 miles of spirited driving got my cardone calipers hot enough to deform the pistons. Had to pry the things off with a spud bar they were locked on so tight. Cheap metal for the piston is where the rebuilds go wrong. Worst part is most old pistons can be polished enough to be re used. I'm betting these remanufactures sell the good metal from the pistons then install pig iron ones from china.

Post by **Clemens** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 12:29 am

Doesn't FCP sell any nice calipers? If they fail, they are backed with a lifetime warranty.
Also, if available in the states, the Bosch calipers ate said to be good. but who knows if everything in a Bosch box is really Bosch.

Post by **abscate** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 2:34 am

You can go the FCP warranty route but I would still rather pay $150 for a 5-10 year caliper than $50 for a <2 year caliper. I got 5 years out of front Cardone’s in 2014, but they were better metal pistons and slides.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:27 pm

You're also forgetting the $12-15 in shipping to send it back, plus several days of down time without the car. I'd rather not replace them every 1-2 years.