leaking rear calipers

[leorules27]

Wats up forum
Its been a month since my brake light is on. I was backing up from my driveway when i saw the light was on even after i let go of the ebrake. I thought it was a bad sensor. My ebrake works perfect but its not tht strong and only works if i pull it all the way.
But yeaterday when i went to the mechanic he told me thtat my rear calipers were leaking and i need to replace them. He says that the brake light is on due to less brake fluid because the liquid leaked through the calipers.
Does tht make sense, or he just wants to earn money in replacing my calipers. I think he's kind of right, but my calipers are working, its not like their seized.
What shud i do guys.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Ask him to tell you exactly what's leaking, it could simply be the brake lines which are significantly less expensive than calipers

If it's leaking at the banjo bolt it could be that whoever previously serviced your brakes re-used the crush-washers (there's two washers per banjo bolt, if one's missing or has been re-used it can leak).

If it is indeed the calipers, you can buy a rebuild kit from Mazda with new seals and dust boots. Rebuilding the calipers is an annoying job but it'll save you some money.

 

[P-Funk!]

It is quite possible.

BUT tell them to only replace the leaking caliper (not both just for one leaking). Installation SHOULD include adjusting the parking brake

 

[SocialStealth]

An easy way to see if its leaking brake fluid is to look at your brake fluid and check if its low

I had the same problem, my brake fluid was low (ebrake light means brake fluid is low, there is a sensor on the brake fluid container) and I realized that 1 of the rear calipers was leaking fluid.

My caliper was seized open, which is also why my ebrake wasn't working well. (it was only working with 1 wheel).

You can get a new caliper online, after the core return, it only cost me about $50, which isn't too bad for a completely new caliper. And best of all I didn't have to rebuild anything

Then a few months later i noticed my front caliper seized shut, and at that point I decided to just replace the remaining 3 calipers. I figured its better to replace them before they seize and I DONT notice.

I noticed because I was suddenly getting 23 mpg, and I typically get 33 mpg.
Also, the rotor was burning hot lol.

 

[faral]

How can you tell if a caliper is leaking fluid? Will it be obvious, where there's goop everywhere?

 

[CTt3P5]

Mine has been leaking for awhile. I have another, just dont feel like replacing it. Just add fluid and keep going, lol.

What usually ends up happening is the seals inside the caliper deteriorate which in turn causes the leak. (shrug)

You can buy a used caliper (I have quite a few) or just buy a rebuild kit. Either will solve your problem.

Wish I would have known this when my DS rear seized this year. Should it happen again, I'll have to remember to contact you first.

 

[CTt3P5]

Orly?! That's awesome.

 

[P-Funk!]

Mine has been leaking for awhile. I have another, just dont feel like replacing it. Just add fluid and keep going, lol.

What usually ends up happening is the seals inside the caliper deteriorate which in turn causes the leak. (shrug)

You can buy a used caliper (I have quite a few) or just buy a rebuild kit. Either will solve your problem.

Continued driving with a leaking caliper will soak the pads and render them useless. And it is cheap/nasty. Go fix it! Now!. (or don't)

 

[99ProtegeKV]

You can buy a used caliper (I have quite a few) or just buy a rebuild kit. Either will solve your problem.

you still have some?? i need it driver rear calipers leaking. brakes are terrible right now lol