Best rebuilt brake alipers for 1999-2003 Windstar

[LTDzak]

Time for new brake calipers, as it seems the banging sound on bumps (w/o brakes applied) appears to be due to the caliper to bracket pin clearances opening up. I have carefully checked and/or replaced ball joints, end links etc. Sound goes away if I lightly press the brake going over the bump(s).

The last pair were Motorcraft rebuilds. They didn't last as long as the OEM ones, and the pin to caliper bracket clearances were larger (when new) than I hoped. Also, although they got some kind of rust inhibitor on rebuilding it wasn't the zinc based coatings that OEM Ford uses.

I bought some Cardone caliper brackets through NAPA figuring NAPA would get the best qulaity. Wrong. It seems like all they did was blast these and hit them with a rust inhobitor - the caliper pin to bushing bores were as bad as they ones on the motorcraft rebuilds after using the later for 50 K miles. Don't they even check the bushings? Back they went.

I see the Centric brand on several sites, anyone try those/have luck with them?

Wish Ford sold just the bushings as I'd go through the trouble to pull them out and press them in myself.

Any suggestions?

[12Ounce]

I only replace calipers if I have a leaking piston seal ... I've never associated a noise with them being worn.

But to answer your question ... I have had luck with whatever brand AdvanceAuto supplies.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by LTDzak

Any suggestions?

I dare not ask... but what about the anti-rattle clips? Clanking pad noise going away when brakes are applied is usually due to missing or improperly installed clips, it's a little tricky.

[LTDzak]

Thanks for the suggestion. I replaced the worn down rotors a few months ago (bear of a job to remove) and at that time all the clips were present. The thicker rotor decreased the amount of noise, but did not eliminate it, and its slowly getting worse. Its too loud a thunking/crashing to be just the pads, as I know what those sound like having left out a clip a time or two over the years - the loose pad is more like a clanking or rattle sound.

[LTDzak]

double post

[Windstartled]

You don't hear often of a problem like yours... Concerning your question I guess the best rebuilt calipers don't have much so to do with the brand as with the rebuilder. As this is a general interest issue doing a search on how to choose rebuilt calipers could yield some answers as to which company rates highest and then go from there.