Thread: [pro-active maint] when would a brake caliper need to be replaced?

03 GP GT w/ ~165k
friend helped me with my brakes last week and noticed that a significant amount of force had to be applied with c-clamp (or whatever the tool is) to pry-open the caliper so we could install it back over the new pads.

this was the only caliper that gave us any issues or major resistance.
under what circumstances would it be beneficial to replace the caliper?
they are not expensive for used replacement parts, but just curious if it is an issue at all and what type of failure to expect if something did happen.

Did you have the brake fluid cap open while doing this?

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

they can get rusted or corrode and not go back in smooth, as long as it dont hang up after you let off the brakes it should be ok. if its a front brake you'll feel the car pull to that side if it not backing off the rotor.

no issues at all as of this time. that's why i was curious about pro-actively replacing it and just "what happens" if/when it fails.

if i start to feel a little pulling, then i could quickly replace ... but my question was more along the lines of how likely would it be to have the caliper seize up (thus not being able to drive/move the vehicle). if it is high risk of seizing, i will replace immediately. if it is low risk and may notice some "pulling" if (when) it does start to fail, then i would have time to replace it then.

is there any reason not to purchase a tested/used caliper from morad parts? or should it be a new caliper.

ordered a used to replace. i prefer pro-active route, as it's an easy job and the brakes are fresh. thanks for all the input.