Help: Rear Brake Calipers

I have about a million and a half questions about these thingys...

On my 1993 G, the rear brake calipers are bad/locked in place. I'm looking to find refurbished ones because new ones will be way too expensive if the websites are accurate. Anyways, are these parts the same as on any Nissan cars? There are several Nissan dealers near-by, and I was wondering if they could get the parts for me. Otherwise, is it safe to buy refurbished calipers?

Thanks! :flash:

Tangie-honey.

Rear calipers are such a pita to rebuild that you're much better off buying new ones or rebuilt ones. It's OK to buy rebuilt ones, but only if you get them at a reputable place. Ask for warranty (should I say that brakes are more important for you in the car than an engine?) and what parts have been changed (all seals and maybe the piston). Look for any signs of rust (inside the cylinder). Rust = bad.

Are you going to change them yourself? :sun: :sun: :sun: :sun: :bandit: :D

Oh, and I'm sure they're different to calipers on other Nissans

Originally posted by saturntangerine
On my 1993 G, the rear brake calipers are bad/locked in place.


That's actually rather common in the rust belt. A lot of the SE-R folks have had this problem including me. Some folks can free them up with WD40, but most end up replacing the calipers anyway.

Originally posted by saturntangerine
I'm looking to find refurbished ones because new ones will be way too expensive if the websites are accurate. Anyways, are these parts the same as on any Nissan cars? There are several Nissan dealers near-by, and I was wondering if they could get the parts for me. Otherwise, is it safe to buy refurbished calipers?

Yes, they are different from any other Nissan I know. It's likely Nissan uses them somewhere else, but no in The States for far as I know.

Buying remanufactured calipers is safe. I would stay with a good brand however. There is a lot of so-so stuff out there as well. Wagner and A1 Cardone are excellent names (and essentially the same). Raybestos is OK from what I've heard. You can get them loaded or unloaded. Loaded are supposed to come with pads and hardware already loaded on teh caliper, ready to install. Some lower quality remanufacturers just throw pads and hardware into the box. It's not that big a deal necessarily, but it means more screwing around.

Remanufacturers strip the old parts down to the castings, the piston, and the handbrake mechanism. They basically boil the parts in a caustic solution that strips all the rust and grease off. They usually coat the castings and then reassemble using the old piston and handbrake assembly. All of the rubber pieces and miscellaneous hardware gets replaced. Buying a remanufactured product from a good company is as good as buying brand new because the only parts not replaced are the castings, pistons, and (on a rear caliper) the handbrake assembly.

Well, I've sent in the order for the "used" calipers (yes, from a reputable company). I don't know what "name" they are, but they come with the brake pads and a one year warranty. I'll post back once we get Sophie back together! :flash:

Originally posted by saturntangerine
Well, I've sent in the order for the "used" calipers (yes, from a reputable company). I don't know what "name" they are, but they come with the brake pads and a one year warranty. I'll post back once we get Sophie back together! :flash:

I think you mean remanufactured. There is a difference.

Used = junk yard take-offs or off a friend's car when he/she isn't looking. :right:

Rebuilt = Used with new seals, other rubber components, and hardware

Remanufactured = stripped, cleaned, coated, reassembled with significant amounts of new parts

Good luck.

I wasn't sure which word to use, and I'm honestly not positive as to whether they are remanufactured or just rebuilt since my dad did all the looking for me ;)

Originally posted by saturntangerine
I wasn't sure which word to use, and I'm honestly not positive as to whether they are remanufactured or just rebuilt since my dad did all the looking for me ;)

I'm almost certain they will be remanufactured. In general, nobody rebuilds calipers anymore unless it's a DIY job. For the installer, it's not worth paying him/her their time because rebuilding would take way too long. It's cheaper just to buy remanufactured. Also, you can get into rebuilding them and find half way through that they are junk.

Installers just want to turn the bay.

Originally posted by P10DET




... off a friend's car when he/she isn't looking. :right:



:lol2: Is that experience talking? :)

I was just wondering the very same thing. *lol2*

Too bad I'm one of 4 total G20's in my area of Pittsburgh :(

Good news so far! :) The REMANUFACTURED calipers are all nice and pretty and they went on w/o a glitch... except that the parking brake is finicky on the driver's side... Anyways, braking is ever so much more solid now, and it's nice to know I can stop in a hurry! :D

Just wanted to give an update! :flash:

So who did the installation? You or your dad? :):):):)

well.... I held the light and all the bolts... :D

I'm in the same boat as Tangerine.

I went to a local Foreign Auto Parts store and they did the ordering for me. Just have the info about your car ready! :) Your G will be back in order in no time :D