Video: Do I Need New Brake Calipers?

ROHNERT PARK — Host, Sarah Rutan: Replacing calipers on your car can be an expensive fix, but is it really necessary? Today we’re in Rohnert Park with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor William Trbovich of Acurit Auto Repair to learn more.

Expert Contributor, William Trbovich: So, we’re looking at brakes today. Why are some brake jobs so much more expensive than others? One of the main reasons is that people want to replace your calipers. This is a caliper, right here. This is what houses your brake pads. These are the brake pads. The calipers are sealed, they just need to be cleaned, they need to be lubricated when you have your regular servicing, these pins – we take out these bolts, we clean them and put some – there’s lubrication that the manufacturers actually make for them. They keep them lubricated so – the calipers job basically when you push the brake pedal it pushes the brake pads next to the rotors to stop the car.

Now, I don’t know why people replace them. I’ve never – very rarely – ever seen them leak. They last forever. They last many lifetimes. We have cars here that have 300 to 500 thousand miles on them, still have their original calipers. I’ve never replaced a caliper on my personal cars because I maintain them. So if someone is telling you and you’re getting a brake inspection and they’re telling you that you need calipers, I would get another opinion. And, that could save you an awful lot of money. A new caliper is anywhere from three to six hundred dollars and the re-builds, which are not very good are two hundred dollars. Each. So, that’s times two for your front, and times two for your back. So, I would just be careful if anyone was trying to sell you a brake caliper.

Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more about the Diamond Certified Expert Program, visit us at experts.diamondcertified.org.