New Brake Caliper Brand Recommendations

[SupaSwope]

So I was planning on buying new calipers (Front and Rear) for my new Deerfield SS brake lines. On RockAuto I was planning on buying the ACDELCO Remans. Are they worth the Extra 20-30 Bucks or could I get those reman PowerStop's and be fine with those?

Just trying to save some cash here and was wondering on recommendations and or opinions or what you have bought. Thanks.

 

[koda2000]

Honestly, I never buy new calipers. I really don't see any point to it. A caliper is such a simple device and once it's remaned it just as good as new. The only moving part is the piston, so there's not much to go wrong with it as long as the bore is honed or sleeved and the pistons been replaced. It's up to you, but I figure the OE calipers are probably better than any aftermarket caliper. Why would you buy calipers from a GM company for your Ford? They're probably all made in China anyway (India, Mexico or Malaysia). JMHO.

 

[SupaSwope]

I appreciate you opinion koda. Its highly respected. I just don't want to rebuild my own calipers. Kinda would just like to buy some new ones, Through some new semi metallic pads in and hardware and bolt the lines on and bleed them. Just was wondering the recommended brands people have bought. I read some posts on here already about the powerstop. Seems people aren't complaining about them at least.

 

[swshawaii]

Agree with koda. Most rebuilt calipers use OEM Bosch cores, are rebuilt by Cardone, then reboxed under various brand names. I chose the NAPA semi loaded (with brackets no pads) Total Eclipse line in all four corners because return core shipping from Hawaii was cost prohibitive. Not sure if you would want the black powder coating or not, but IIRC, some brands such as the Raybestos Pro Grade calipers are sandblasted and unfinished metal. NAPA also had a lifetime warranty when I bought them. There's also a 20% off MSRP "bucket" sale through the end of April.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?q=Nty=1&Ntk=Keyword&N=5002800+200280140+10200000+1000014300&Ntt=calipers&text=calipers&isApplication=true

http://www.napabrakes.com/magnoliaP...ipers/total-eclipse-semi-loaded-calipers.html

Not great caliper pics but...
WRXtra Braided SS Brake Lines Inquiry | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

 

[96eb96]

Honestly, I never buy new calipers. I really don't see any point to it. A caliper is such a simple device and once it's remaned it just as good as new. The only moving part is the piston, so there's not much to go wrong with it as long as the bore is honed or sleeved and the pistons been replaced. It's up to you, but I figure the OE calipers are probably better than any aftermarket caliper. Why would you buy calipers from a GM company for your Ford? They're probably all made in China anyway (India, Mexico or Malaysia). JMHO.

ACDelco just puts a sticker on a box - I believe they rebrand the Raybestos line.

Some rear calipers with parking brakes (not ours) are pretty complex. In our case likely any brand will do. Reman calipers can leak - if they reuse a pitted piston for example. 99.99% of the time they are fine.

I like Advance Auto because with coupons they are the same or cheaper than rockauto for heavy brake stuff, and if there is any issue I go down the street and get a new one. They have 40 off 100 coupons, you can't go wrong if they are nearby.

There are a few companies that mass rebuild calipers - Cardone comes to mind, and another one I don't remember. Most brands likely buy from them and put a sticker on the box.

 

[koda2000]

Yeah, I Just put new front rotors on my daughter's '00 Mountaineer 2WD last week. I bought Raybestos from RA. Guess where they're made? China. Nothing is made in the U.S. anymore.

 

[SupaSwope]

Can you use the 40 off 100 in store?

Edit: Holy crap. Never mind. They want 50 dollar cores bringng buying them to over $400. Even though I still get 200 back. I was trying to save cash. The power stops would be less then 150 with no cores and I could keep my OEMs. And since there all made in china whats the difference? With RockAuto's return policy I think thats the less costly way to go I am thinking so far

 

[koda2000]

Can you use the 40 off 100 in store?

Edit: Holy crap. Never mind. They want 50 dollar cores bringng buying them to over $400. Even though I still get 200 back. I was trying to save cash. The power stops would be less then 150 with no cores and I could keep my OEMs. And since there all made in china whats the difference? With RockAuto's return policy I think thats the less costly way to go I am thinking so far

Probably not, but you can order on-line and pay, then pick up at your store to get the $40 off. Weird, but true.

 

[96eb96]

Can you use the 40 off 100 in store?

Edit: Holy crap. Never mind. They want 50 dollar cores bringng buying them to over $400. Even though I still get 200 back. I was trying to save cash. The power stops would be less then 150 with no cores and I could keep my OEMs. And since there all made in china whats the difference? With RockAuto's return policy I think thats the less costly way to go I am thinking so far

No, you MUST buy online and then pickup in the store. I looked up the prices.

What I would do is this:
You need 4 calipers. Break the order up into 2. (fronts and backs).
To make 100 on each order you will need brake fluid, right? Then I would add up some oil filters or whatever.

So the total is 120 +tax . You can bring the old calipers when you go to the store and get the money back right away. Put some rubber tubes in the hoses so the fluid don't leak out.

If you want to keep your cores however RA may be the way to go.

 

[SupaSwope]

Thats actually a really good deal and would be the way to go.

But in my particular case. I don't have 300 all at once and don't plan on putting them on right away once I get them. But if I was that would be the best deal.

Edit: Anyways I made my decision and bought calipers. I appreciate all the information and advice.

 

[CDW6212R]

For calipers the weakest link is the hole where the sliding shafts operates. That is the big wear surface, and if the rubber boot ever gets off or torn, the contamination which gets inside, it'll eat up the inside of that hole. So rebuilt calipers is about how good, or bad, the cores were that were turned in.

If you know that your calipers have been well cared for, specifically know that the rubber boots have never been compromised, those are the best calipers, regardless of age/mileage. That's why I never remove those bolts, or the boots. You could change the grease at some point, but it's not needed at every servicing of the brakes, or 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time IMO.

I have one vehicle with sloppy calipers, and it's my 91 Lincoln which I bought rebuilt Motorcraft calipers for. The sliding bolts move too much inside the caliper housing/bores. they also didn't come with the original anti-rattle brackets, which I reused from my old pair.

 

[SupaSwope]

Yeah I might maybe rebuild my OEM ones one day. For now though I got new PowerStop's coming.