Replacing brake calipers

[dclarke618]

I just took my 1998 Winni in for a brake issue and was told that one of the front calipers was stuck and needed to be replaced. I was also told that the other front caliper need to be replaced as well as the rotors. It was highly recommended that I replace the rear calipers and rotors because with new front calipers the read would start causing problems very soon. I didn't think that there would be any effect on the rear calipers if the front ones were replaced. Sounds fishy! Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

[time2roll]

Just do what they recommend on the front and whine about money that you may have it in next year for the rears. Then your choice to go back or not.

Better to just pull out than threaten to lawyer up on this trivia.

[westend]

nbounder wrote:
After reading & digesting this info, one thing becomes evident - you need to zip right out of that shop. Go to your local neighborhood NAPA and get a recommendation for a repair facility. The longer you stay in that shop you are in, the more likely you'll get tripped up. Don't be surprised if they want to charge you for their work, just put the tab on your visa and cancel/protest the Visa bill immediately. Enjoy the song & dance they put on for you.

Trying to understand this..... are you stating that you would cancel payment on a credit card for work that has already been done? You would then enjoy the ensuing conflicts that will follow?

[nbounder]

After reading & digesting this info, one thing becomes evident - you need to zip right out of that shop. Go to your local neighborhood NAPA and get a recommendation for a repair facility. The longer you stay in that shop you are in, the more likely you'll get tripped up. Don't be surprised if they want to charge you for their work, just put the tab on your visa and cancel/protest the Visa bill immediately. Enjoy the song & dance they put on for you.

[pigman1]

I'd have them try to turn the rotors, and if they say they couldn't be successfully turned have them show them to you and measure them in front of you. The minimum thickness is cast into the rotor and until they get that far, they can be used. Any NAPA or other auto machine shop can give you an honest check on them for little or no charge. A pulsing brake pedal might indicate a warped rotor which would require you to trash it. The "New Rotors All Around" is simply an up-sell to increase their charge and profit.

[westend]

Replace the front rotors and pads, also. Forget about the rear brake assemblies until you have a problem or mileage makes maintenance necessary. IMO.

[John_Joey]

jfkmk wrote:

Dr Quick wrote:
All rotors will rust, even overnight if the humidify is high. Also some rotors will make noise until the rust it wore off. Unless rotors are "pulsing" when you put the brake on,(you feel vibration) they do not need to be replaced. I would take it to another place for second opinion. I can tell you horror stories of people who went to Big Name places and told it would cost $700 or $800 to replace everything. I was able to just replace the bad parts for less them $100.

Believe it or not, 700 or 800 is about right for a 4-wheel brake job. Even for a car, they usually charge 300 per axle. Pretty much a rip-off since I can do 4 wheels + rotors for not much more than 150.

Also the rust issue is more about the cup in the calipers then about the rotors.

[jfkmk]

Dr Quick wrote:
All rotors will rust, even overnight if the humidify is high. Also some rotors will make noise until the rust it wore off. Unless rotors are "pulsing" when you put the brake on,(you feel vibration) they do not need to be replaced. I would take it to another place for second opinion. I can tell you horror stories of people who went to Big Name places and told it would cost $700 or $800 to replace everything. I was able to just replace the bad parts for less them $100.

Believe it or not, 700 or 800 is about right for a 4-wheel brake job. Even for a car, they usually charge 300 per axle. Pretty much a rip-off since I can do 4 wheels + rotors for not much more than 150.

[Dr_Quick]

All rotors will rust, even overnight if the humidify is high. Also some rotors will make noise until the rust it wore off. Unless rotors are "pulsing" when you put the brake on,(you feel vibration) they do not need to be replaced. I would take it to another place for second opinion. I can tell you horror stories of people who went to Big Name places and told it would cost $700 or $800 to replace everything. I was able to just replace the bad parts for less them $100.

NOTE: I think my point was missed. Brake place said rotors, pads calipers back drums, back shoes, back cylinders. BUT, vehicle only needed front pads and one rotor. My point is that customer was getting RIPPED off, with saying that unnecessary items needed to be replaced, when in fact nothing was wrong with them.

[John_Joey]

They stated replacing the rears simply based on age. Since the fronts more than likely stuck due to rust from age and lack of use, the concept is that the rear are not far behind. Much like headlights, when one goes replace both since the other will follow shortly.

IMO, they are correct. You'll have issues with the rear brakes in a year or so unless you pull them apart and rebuild them. Most the time it is cheaper to replace them unless you do the work yourself.

[dclarke618]

Thanks All,
It did sit for over 2 years before I bought it so I'm hoping they are not ripping me off on this one. I did tell them that I would need the parts back for a lawsuit that i was considering. They were going to call me right back with an estimated finish date and time, but after the lawsuit comment I have not heard from them in 4-5 hours. I'm hoping they are re assessing the diagnosis.

[PapPappy]

I had a similar problem with my Winnie....sat for almost two years on grass, and the brakes rusted to the point that when I took it down for an annual state inspection, I couldn't go over 45 mph!!
It cost me over $2K for the brakes to be completely replaced. I looked at the parts, and maybe they could have been turned, but the time and effort pretty much offset the cost of replacing with new. I also have less than 30K miles on the MH.

Now, I take the RV out every month, run the genset, and drive about 5-10 miles, if we don't take it out camping. That was an expensive lesson, that I don't want to repeat!!

If I was you, I would probably have the front brakes repaired.....then take the MH out and test drive it. You REALLY want all your brakes working properly, so test to see that it has stopping power. You can always go back and have the rear brakes done at a later date.
Best to find a Mechanic/Shop that you trust, or that friends trust. It's easy to get ripped off.:(

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Ask whomever is going to do the job, if they'd mind returning the rotors and calipers to you AS THEY ARE REMOVED from the vehicle...

You would have to be there waiting as the parts were removed.

If someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes, your making of a request like the above will make their hair stand out on end. If the service manager tries to give you any flak over your request, move on down the line.

This is not the same as asking that the old parts be returned as you pick up the vehicle. It is specifically a request for them to bring the parts to you as they are removed. It costs them nothing to bow to your request. Let's see what they say. Call it contriving your own B.S. Detector.

[enblethen]

The vehicle may have been sitting long enough for the slides on the front rotors to become rusted to the point they would not slide.
I normally do the caliper and brake pad changes my self. The slides must be coated with good brake lube not just grease. The slide area would need to be cleaned, wire brushed heavily on first change. The factory does not lube very good.
CALIPERS DO NOT GET TURNED, the rotors get turned
Rotors can be turned if they have not been done before. Replacements can be cost effective. I can get rotors turned for about 1/2 the cost of replacements.
The system needs to be totaly flushed and new brake fluid installed. Make sure the fluid is high temperature not just regular brake fluid.
You may want to get a second estimate.

[dclarke618]

I was told that the front calipers were worn and could not be turned. I pointed out that the RV only has 22K miles and was told the rotors were rusted, pitted and the one with the stuck caliper was warped.