Just wondering, I am putting my project car back together right now, and need to order parts to get my brakes back running. I am going to get ss lines and hawk pads for sure, and I know my rear calipers need rebuilding too. I also have two sets of 4 piston front calipers and a sit of singles for the front. I am definitely putting 4 pistons back, but should I rebuild them? I bought both sets second hand, and both had been sitting for 5 plus years, not on the car. I am thinking I will rebuild both sets of four pistons, and sell the ones I don't use. Gonna probably toss the single pistons. Is it worth my time to rebuild both sets of four piston brakes and sell one?

 

Personally I wouldn't bother if they work and don't leak... just clean and inspect.

 

awesome... I just went out and looked over both sets again, and both seem to be usable, just really dirty. Think I will attempt to disassemble one pair and just see how they look inside. Thanks!

 

The rebuild kits are under $20 to do both calipers. They require a couple hours but its cheap insurance considering brakes are kind of important.

 

I have only found the rebuilds on mazdatrix.com and they are a bit more expensive than that. Is there another source? I have never tried any of the chain parts houses.

 

Try rock auto, they usually have sales on beck/arnley stuff, which 90% of the time is oem stuff.

 

Rockauto charges $50 for the caliper? and $50 for the core? I think?

I just bought rebuilt ones because the rebuild kits were a significant price...$20 or $30 and I didn't trust myself with the fronts.

I rebuilt the rears though.

 

I would buy rebuilt cali's from a store and give them the single pistons as the core. To me it's not worth MY time to rebuild them. Case & point

So if the

$20 plus 2 hours or $100 and no time. How do you value your time? I value mine @ much more than $40/hr. Not to mention are you competent enough to do the job properly?

 

If you value your life, spend a few bucks and rebuild the ones you will install on your own car. That's especially true if you drive the car hard. Also, remember that the more agressive the Hawk pads, the more heat they require to before they are effective. Meaning, if you are just using the car as a DD, don't get the track pads.

 

Shouldnt waste your time and money on rebuilding the 4 piston caliper when they are about 50-60 with core.
The rears are the only ones that are worth rebuilding. They are 110+ each with core.

 

It is going to be tracked some weekends, but this is mainly a road-only-play-around-piddle-with car. I bought the hps pads for it for now, if those don't hold up like I want and stop well enough, I will look at other options. As far as the calipers go, I went ahead and ordered rebuilds for front and back. I just got one front set, and will keep the extra calipers on hand for future possible use...

 

wow. look, im a mechanic, and its worth it for me when i make 50/hr. so, if it takes 2 hours total (budged time) then thats ~100-130. (including parts)
i guarantee those of us that arent mechanics, the time is not worth more than 10 an hour. so, if you brake that down, it comes out to be cheaper to rebuild them.
now, the issue is, do you know what you are doing well enough to do so? if not, then just get someone else to do it and powdercoat them while youre at it to protect the metal.

Lloyd

 

Kragen (Shucks or Checkers east of California, I believe) has the calipers for 38.99 and free shipping on orders over $50. Then you just take the cores back to the local store.

However, and coatings might be best done with the calipers disassembled. Though I painted my rebuilds and let them bake under a halogen lamp.