Replant
Someplace
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Joined: 09/09/2010
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My Class C is on a 1992 E350 with 81,100 on the clock. The rear wheel cylinders were replaced recently, fluid completely changed and all wheels bled extensively but I still have a spongy pedal that goes to the floorboard so I suspect it is the master cylinder.
The other day I went 30 miles to Discount Tire for 6 new tires and on the way home, after getting off the interstate, I had a serious brake lockup and could barely keep the engine running, even when stopped. That's what you call a double whammy! I managed to limp home and it appeared that the front right rotor was about 245 degrees according to my IR temp gun. I was too tired, thirsty, hungry and annoyed to crawl under the rig to do a good temperature check.
After a few hours I started the 460 engine again and it purred like a kitten so a new fuel filter went to the top of my shopping list. Yesterday I bought a new master cylinder, fuel filter, speed sensor (my CC doesn't work) and ordered new front brake hoses.
I haven't tried to find out what caused the lock-up yet but I'm touching all the bases since I don't know what repairs were ever done to the brake system, if any, and I did have a problem with a collapsed brake hose on my Class B previously.
I don't know what I'll find when I check the calipers but a rebuilt one costs $45 at AutoZone and a repair kit is $14. That's quite a difference. Has anyone out there ever rebuilt a caliper? I've done many wheel cylinders, master cylinders and even an engine or two many years ago but don't recall doing a caliper. It appears to be just a couple of seals. Perhaps they are hard to replace 
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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I've rebuilt them........not a major job.
Whether you rebuild or replace you have to disconnect brake line and remove couple of mounting bolts to remove calibers.
Then rebuild pistons (remove, hone, clean, install new seals etc.)
Or just install the 'new' rebuilt ones.........hummmmmmm
And they usually come with a warranty.
After rebuilding a few.......I just remove and replace now.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Just buy new calipers. It is not worth the effort to try to rebuild calipers.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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vladen
Louisiana
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Id tend to agree with donn 0128 an Old Bisquit. Rebuilt calipers are relativly cheap considering time/cost spent to rebuild a set.
Vlad's busy workings
All hope is gone
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randallb
On the road
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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In the early 90's Ford products there were a good number of brake booster failures. They usually occurred in the 80 to 120 thousand mile range. When the boosters started to fail they applied slight pressure on the master causing the brakes to overheat. If you are doing a master I would recommend replacing the booster also. You can rebuild the calipers yourself but they are so cheap why waste the time.
Randy
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MEXICOWANDERER
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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I like rebuilt calipers that have had stainless steel cylinder sleeves pressed in. It is pretty much the end of cylinder corrosion. Take your finger and rub the bottom of the master cylinder reservoir. If it comes out black you're going to have master cylinder failure soon.
After having switched to silicone brake fluid I would never return to conventional fluid, ever. i don't care if they evolve fluid to DOT 10,000. If it absorbs moisture it stays far away from my vehicles. I have a friend who has an Mack tractor. Had clutch slave cylinder failure every year for six years in a row. Switched to silicone brake fluid, used the same brand parts and has had no failures in the last seven years.
I laugh at so-called performance tests that say "Don't use silicone brake fluid! Use DOT 5 brake fluid! It boils at 50 degrees higher temp!" Who the heck cares? I don't drive a McLaren, and I don't heat my brakes up to 1,000 C. But I do want to get MAXIMUM life out of my brake components, and gee, isn't silicone a lubricant? This is yet another subject where automotive "experts" should dose themselves with Thorazine before sitting down in front of a keyboard.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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So you have no respect for anybody having a differing opinion from you?
The problem many classic car enthusiast find with Silicone brake fluid is that since it doesn't absorb moisture at all, the water settles to the bottom on the brake cyl. or caliper and causes fade and extensive rust. Jay Leno talked about the massive damage several of his cars suffered as a result of this scenario.
I myself went through this with a Honda MC. The silicone fluid destroyed some costly components for me.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
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Replant
Someplace
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Joined: 09/09/2010
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Wow! Thanks for some interesting comments, guys. I just cannot understand why they charge $45 to rebuild a caliper and yet I only paid $34 for a completely new master cylinder. Before the brakes locked up I had to apply heavy pressure to stop at a busy intersection. When I got home and let the MH sit for a few hours I notice that the brake pedal is high up and hard - like it is frozen in place, without the engine running. I haven't checked it today. I hope the booster isn't on the replace list also.
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Home Skillet
Pearland Texas
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ScottG is right.
True,silicon brake fluid does not absorb moisture. That is where the problem lies.
The moisture would "pool" in the brake lines causing two things: corrosion in the brake lines (which would lead to leaks) and brake fade( the moisture would boils and create air pockets in the brake lines).
2005 Gulf Stream Conquest 31ft
BigFoot Levelers,SmarTire,Bilstein Shocks,Trans temp guage,Lowrace iWAY
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Ron3rd
Upland, CA USA
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Joined: 03/22/2004
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Old-Biscuit wrote:I've rebuilt them........not a major job.
Whether you rebuild or replace you have to disconnect brake line and remove couple of mounting bolts to remove calibers.
Then rebuild pistons (remove, hone, clean, install new seals etc.)
Or just install the 'new' rebuilt ones.........hummmmmmm
And they usually come with a warranty.
After rebuilding a few.......I just remove and replace now.
OB is right, they don't rebuild 'em much anymore as the rebuilt calipers are pretty cheap.
2007 Tundra SR5 CrewMax 5.7 V8
2004 Aljo 250LT
Eaz-Lift WD Hitch
Single Friction Sway Control
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Honda EU2000
"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"
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