Replace calipers in pairs?

sovietspybob · 2 Jul 2019 at 11:35

Would you replace them in pairs or just 1 at a time when an issue arises ?

I've got a seized rear caliper on the Swift, ordered a replacement but ended up getting the other side first due to a listing error so i've actually got both sides now. It'd be worth about £100 refund if i send it back so i'm thinking of doing that and just replacing the borked one.

Generally i do like to replace things in pairs, brake pads and discs obviously and suspension stuff.

(this is pending changing the faulty one and then not snapping the bleed nipples off the other ones and needing to replace them anyway...)

bremen1874 · 2 Jul 2019 at 11:40

Individually (assuming the other one is 100% okay).

paradigm · 2 Jul 2019 at 11:54

I think I’d take the circumstances into account. If the caliper had seized due to age related issues/corrosion then the second is likely not far off needing replacement or refurbishment anyway, so I’d do both.

If the failure was a one-off mechanical failure or caused by some external influence then I’d happily replace just the one.

bremen1874 · 2 Jul 2019 at 12:00

You should be able to check that the other caliper is moving freely.

The rear brakes on a Swift will be doing ****** all anyway unless you always run with all of the seats occupied and the boot full. Did you actually notice the seized brake while driving? It probably only has discs rather than drums for cosmetic reasons.

-westy- · 2 Jul 2019 at 12:41

bremen1874 said:
You should be able to check that the other caliper is moving freely.

The rear brakes on a Swift will be doing ****** all anyway unless you always run with all of the seats occupied and the boot full. Did you actually notice the seized brake while driving? It probably only has discs rather than drums for cosmetic reasons.

Why would the load in the vehicle affect braking bias? :confused:

bremen1874 · 2 Jul 2019 at 12:51

Nothing necessarily to do with brake bias. A fully loaded vehicle will put more load onto the brakes at both ends.

When you've got a small light car that isn't loaded the rear brakes don't tend to be doing much at all under normal use.

sovietspybob · 2 Jul 2019 at 13:10

The other caliper is fine and free moving, it's a 2012 car with 62k on the clock so wasn't expecting it really.

The disc only had a very small contact patch which is why i changed them as i suspected there was an issue, i was hoping it was just the carriers had got gunked up with rust but turned out to be a stuck piston.

It's the sport version but i agree the brakes don't need to do much work on the car even when driven hard, i don't think i'd want drums on the back when doing track days though.

bainbridge · 2 Jul 2019 at 13:10

paradigm said:
I think I’d take the circumstances into account. If the caliper had seized due to age related issues/corrosion then the second is likely not far off needing replacement or refurbishment anyway, so I’d do both.

If the failure was a one-off mechanical failure or caused by some external influence then I’d happily replace just the one.

What paradigm said.

IAmATeaf · 2 Jul 2019 at 15:06

Not an expert but are you sure that the guide pins just don't need a clean and grease?

Firestar_3x · 2 Jul 2019 at 15:17

-westy- said:
Why would the load in the vehicle affect braking bias?

Because some cars have brake bias load sensors in them.

sovietspybob · 2 Jul 2019 at 15:34

IAmATeaf said:
Not an expert but are you sure that the guide pins just don't need a clean and grease?

No it's the piston itself is seized, it wouldn't wind back. In fact i bent 3 separate tools trying to wind it back in

mrk · 2 Jul 2019 at 16:34

I did both fronts when one seized. As mentioned, the other is not going to be far off. There are online companies that will refurb yours for decent money.