Rusty Brakes

[sunghost]

Hey people. I have a 95 GSX that came from back east and has a lot of rust. My rotors are bad on all wheels. The front right caliper is not fully engaged and I know that it needs to be replaced. Should I replace both front calipers at the same time? Or is it ok to replace just the one? Do I need to change the rotors at the same time with the calipers? I just don't know where to start or if everything needs to be changed as a set. This is my first car by the way any advice would be appreciated.


Sun

 

[spoonman]

If you do not have the money to spend on new rotors then you can get them resurfaced at a brake shop almost nothing, on mine all four cost me $35.

 

[sunghost]

Did you take them off your car yourself and bring them in or just drive the car there?

 

[architechnik]

It would probably fine to change just the one caliper. If it was faulty for an extended time, then it will likely have uneven wear on the rotors. As a rule of thum, it's good to change the surfaces that see a lot of wear at the same time. You could replace the one, but you will have no idea when to change the other.

Some brake shops will turn/resurface your rotor and some will try to sell you new ones before they even check the depth. Be cautious of places that employ idiots

If you want to avoid rust in the future, you can purchase rotors that have a coating (usually zinc plating) that will prevent the rust on the hubs and surfaces that do not make contact.

 

[sunghost]

What sucks is that the car came from Massachusetts (did i even spell that $#!+ right?? ) and anything by the wheels or wheel wells is rusted so I'm trying to go through piece by piece . Since I live in AZ I don't have to worry about the (new) rust since it only rains here maybe a few weeks out the year . I think that I'll have to wait a few more weeks to change them out as a set then, thanks for the input guys.

 

[fwspin]

You can definitely replace just one caliper. The rotors as stated above should be changed in a pair. I don't know how it is in AZ but where I live its almost impossible to get a shop to turn your used rotors.

 

[asexton6969]

You can install one caliper but it is suggested for even breaking that your replace both. Just take your rotors to a shop. Have a local Sears. I know we will check the depth and turn them for you. Otherwise, Oreillys, Advance Auto Parts, Autozone.

If possible buy rebuilt wagner calipers loaded with pads, and get new rotors. Shouldnt cost you too much.

 

[kahl23]

I wouldn't necessarily throw the caliper out. See if you can get both of them rebuilt. If the right one is indeed dead, well then buy a replacement and have the left caliper rebuilt. Just so you know, a rebuild involves replacing all the seals and sometimes the pistons inside the caliper. If you are feeling ambitious, they also sell rebuild kits that you can install yourself. Good luck!

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

If you take the route in getting new rotors all around.. you can get some DRT performance set of 4 rotors on ebay for 130.. they are powdercoated and plated to prevent rust.. and the guy has great feedback.. Now with that being said, dont get drilled/slotted.. pm the guy and ask for blanks, or just go with slotted... I got slotted ones from him and they are still in mint condition after almost a year.. and the car has sat all winter with no rust.. I'm not tryin to advertise for this guy but when I needed 4 rotors the parts store wanted to charge 35 a rotor which would have been the same price as getting the better ones that wont rust..

 

[sunghost]

Whats the ebay guys user name by chance? Thanks for the help guys.

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

eBay Motors: 95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Drilled Slotted Rotors F+R (item 180203701106 end time Jan-15-08 14:26:21 PST)

His username is brakepros and this specific auction is for GSX rotors.. they are 140 ish.. sorry, for the GST and GS model they are only 130.. but whats 10 bucks when you are getting a pretty promising deal here. He used to sell these for 180 but no one buys them anymore so he had to drop the price..