Rear caliper rebuild

[keebes]

I need to change the seal on my rear caliper where the E brake goes in. Anyone please.

 

[pcb]

That's pretty tricky,... I don't even know if parts are available.

RockAuto has a rear rebuild kit (just seals I think),... our rear calipers are a real issue.

CENTRIC Part # 14345018 Services One Caliper Rear CAD$2.79

New calipers aren't too expensive:

 

[MaxPower]

Not sure if it's just the aftermarket rebuilds, but these Protege rear calipers are complete junk. On my car every two years, one of them starts leaking or seizing, requiring replacement of the offending caliper, both rotors, and pads. I'd rebuild the caliper, but finding a tool to remove the deeply-recessed snap ring has been an issue. Plus, replacing the seals isn't enough, really the piston should be replaced, too (see the above picture). Aftermarket pistons are available cheaply, but the off-brands selling them don't inspire confidence. The Mazda OEM rear caliper rebuild kit is about $50, but it doesn't include the piston.

AutoZone supplies a lifetime warranty but charges $100 per rear caliper or so. This is probably the best route for someone who is planning to hang on to their Pro for a while. Incidentally, the OEM rebuilds are $300 per caliper, but I'm not sure if these are any better than aftermarket.

 

[Myrithel]

I would like to note that you can get Raybestos reman rear calipers for $65 from Amazon, free shipping.

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

And yeah, that snap ring is seriously a PITA...

 

[MaxPower]

Calipers are cheaper at RockAuto.com, but the lifetime warranty at Autozone is a serious consideration for someone in it for the long-haul (with the stupid rear calipers, this means 2+ years).

 

[maytonh]

I do not think the AutoZone calipers come with the bracket?
But that's no big deal right? Re-using the OEM bracket seems to be perfectly fine.

 

[MaxPower]

Yes, you can reuse the bracket. Otherwise it's like $15-20.

 

[gswift]

Proper grease will keep oem rear calipers going for a long time, mine are original. My buddy used to change his every year, until he started using the proper lube, now it's been 3 and his rear brakes are still smooth.

 

[MaxPower]

gswift--which lubricant are you using on the calipers? And how often do you apply?

 

[los a]

Imo the best lubricant for brakes is sil-glyde... Its a silicone lubricant. People should never use regular grease on pins and sliders..

 

[pcb]

You're supposed to use proper brake and rubber grease,...

 

[00bluees]

Imo the best lubricant for brakes is sil-glyde... Its a silicone lubricant. People should never use regular grease on pins and sliders..

I also use sil glide, or syl glide, however you spell it. Available as a Napa brand or another brand I can't think of. I did over 100k kms on rear calipers, until one blew a seal. But they didn't seize. I lube the sliders and put some on the backs of the pads every time I switch between summer and winter wheels. As soon as the sliders go dry it doesn't take long for the caliper to seize up as the rears especially don't really see much work under normal driving.

 

[gswift]

gswift--which lubricant are you using on the calipers? And how often do you apply?

I only use Wurth Silicone Lubricating compound, on the slider pins, back of pads & on the piston seals. Once a year...

 

[MaxPower]

I suspect most of us use silicone grease on the calipers where rubber grease is called for... does this make a difference? Rubber grease is called for on the slide pins, so does using silicone lubricant cause any negative effects? For instance, does it wear away more quickly than rubber grease and cause the caliper to bind sooner?

 

[pcb]

The only thing I know is that ordinary oil and grease can "soak in" and start to dissolve/swell/soften ordinary rubber. Generally speaking you're not supposed to get any oil or grease on any rubber component,... even 'ordinary' undercoating spray can damage rubber,.. (newer synthetic rubbers (like neoprene) and oils/greases are safe with each other).

Those rubber "sleeves" that the pins slide into could start to "dissolve" and get all sticky and gooey with the wrong grease.