Left rear caliper seized at 85k miles, needed new rotor as well. Dealer suggested I replace BOTH rear calipers so I have a new pair. 135k miles left rear caliper seized AGAIN. Rotor is visibly chewed up looking through the wheel, other 3 rotors seemed fine. Brought back to dealer and he said BOTH rear calipers were seized, and commented that I only replaced the left rear. I informed him BOTH were replaced, and I thought he was going to have some sort of explanation such as inferior part used or manufacture issue, but he only said cost would be reduced from $1500 to $1200. What would cause this to fail again after only 50k miles? I drive every day approx. 60 miles round trip. I was really hoping the dealer or manufacturer would cut me a break here. Also spending approx. $2600 to replace cam sprockets and inner engine seals since they are shot. That's another post under engines.

Thanks.

 

I've replaced 3 rear calipers on my car. It's a common issue. 2 reasons why it happens. First is water gets into the boots due to the low-slung position of the calipers and causes the pins to seize in the bores. Secondly is the calipers are cast iron, and if your brake fluid is laden with water, they will begin to rust inside and seize the piston in the bore. When was the last time you had the brake fluid flushed? Granted, the last time they replaced the calipers, this would have been done anyway.


But..

1.) You don't need to replace them in pairs. If one caliper works fine, there is no reason to replace it. Rotors and pads, however, should be replaced in pairs.


2.) Don't go to the dealer for repairs. Find an independent mechanic. $1200 to replace two rear calipers? Hate to break it to you, but those calipers can be had for $30 each plus core from Rockauto.com. The 3 calipers I replaced on my car ran me a grand total of $100 or so.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/i...b,caliper,1704

 

I have replaced the same rear caliper twice in 50k miles. And if that is what the dealer is charging you to replace two rear calipers I wouldn't go back to those guys. You can do it yourself for under $100 and in just a few hours.