I broke this

[deamon3]

I accidently chipped this while changing my rotors and pads , will I be ok as far as driving?

 

[Justawajz]

I accidently chipped this while changing my rotors and pads , will I be ok as far as driving?

oohhh.... thats one of the pistons on your brake caliper... i would prob replace it. you dont want that thing to spring a leak and you loose brake pressure. not gonna be able to stop..

 

[Iron Weasel]

Looks like the piston and the surrounding caliper are fairly rusty. From the picture, it looks like you chipped off a layer of rust that wasn't very thick. Of course, that's only one picture from one angle. If it's not a very big flake that came off, I'd drive it if it were me ( which it's not ).

If you're concerned enough about it to post on a forum asking if it's OK to drive on.....then maybe you should replace both calipers just to be safe. Yeah, you could replace that one on its own, but it's better to replace calipers in pairs because you could end up with uneven braking on the front end if you don't.

Personally, I'd drive it. Your truck - your call.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I agree- I wouldn't stay on that too long. I had both rear pistons break up in my 2004 F150 a few years back:

Truck never had a trailer behind it aside from my 14 ft. Aluminum fishing boat, so they never worked that hard. This was found at 85,000 miles. I'll admit- Not my most impressed-with-Ford moment.

 

[deamon3]

Well the caliper IS rusty , but it's wisconsin so everything is rusty. Honestly , I was going to ignore it because the chip is really tiny and I made the chip myself. I used the clamp on that part to squish the piston in a bit more and it just chipped a little when I pulled the clamp off.

I thought it looked fine but just wanted to double check here to make sure. I'm super low on excess money , so if I don't HAVE TO fix it , then I wanna let it be.

 

[deamon3]

Thought I also add I waited a LONG time before changing these parts. The mechnaic told me last year to get them changed , I finally decided to do it today. My old rotors were pitted with rust and the pads were literally crumbling.

 

[jhclance]

Your "chip" is in no way comparable to the "break" of joes pistons this chip is nothing and is typical. I would run it it aint gonna cause any trouble.

 

[92exp4x4]

If it worries you, replace it. But I think you will be ok. The actual sealing surface of the piston is behind that dust seal. As the brake pads wear the piston will travel outwards. Just keep an eye on it and if it starts to leak then replace them then. For now I would not worry about it. But when it comes ttime to do it, replace both calipers and the rubber hoses.

 

[Delta_1980]

you could always chip the other side a little so you don't have a out of balance situation.

then again I could be joking!

 

[Anime]

An entire rebuilt caliper for these things is like...13 bucks from NAPA. Even less if you nicely ask the counter guy for shop pricing. (That's less than the cost of a rebuild kit, too)

I'd agree it's not THAT big a deal...yet. But for the price, I wouldn't risk it on the front calipers, being they do most of the braking.

It looks like you have nice new pads and rotors there...new calipers at the same time seems rather logical. Good time to check the hoses and lines while you're at it, not to mention the drum hardware in the rear.

 

[01EXP5.0]

I would run it and watch it. Next brake job replace both calipers check all the rubber brake lines and visually inspect the hard lines. Just as everyone else has said this is your truck and your call.

 

[deamon3]

I doubt calipers are 13 bucks from napa. I asked a friend and turns out just my pads and rotors were a rediculous price. I don't think I'll shop at napa again.

 

[Iron Weasel]

Just for shiggles, I looked up Autozone & Napa prices around here.

Autozone:

Calipers - $16.99 each (reman & unloaded) $11.00 core. Limited Lifetime warranty.
Rotors - $36.99 each w/o ABS. 2 year warranty.
Pads - $15.99 / set. Semi-metallic. 1 year warranty.
Total w/ tax - $133.63

Napa:

Calipers - $16.99 (reman & unloaded) $9.29 core. 1 year warranty.
Pads - $23.88 / set. Semi-metallic. 1 year warranty.
Rotors - $48.97 each w/o ABS. 1 year warranty.
Total w/ tax - $167.97

Back in April, I redid the brakes on our Explorer all the way around (rotors, pads, calipers, drums, shoes, and hardware) I went to Carquest and got Raybestos stuff and walked out for just under $250. Used to be that Napa was the place you went if you had to have OEM quality and a kick-ass warranty. Of course, over the years that changed and now they generally stock the same stuff that any other chain does.

One positive thing about Napa is that the counter guys there are usually far more knowledgeable that the guys at Autozone / O'Reilly and they can help you out with stuff more effectively.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well, I guess the question now is- for $16 or whatever- is it worth worrying about? It's going to be in your head now, so for under $20, why not just replace it and not worry about it anymore?