[jcfritschner]

Long time listener, first time caller. My rear left brake has worn fairly quickly and it is now time to replace. I took the old brakes off and I'm going to compress the piston by turning it. I haven't had to use a cube tool in the past, but this one won't budge with my crowbar.

Closer examination reveals a decent amount of rust on the exposed surfaces of the piston, not just the front.

Will purchasing a cube tool help me or do I need to go ahead and get a new caliper?

 

[CalgaryTSX]

Are you trying to turn the rear caliper piston with a crowbar, or are you trying to compress it with a crowbar?

The rear calipers will NOT compress without turning them in.
The cube caliper piston turning tools are not that strong if the piston has seized. Don't put an impact wrench on it!

For the brakes wearing quickly on 1 side, if the caliper sliders are rusty/stiff/seized that will also cause a dragging caliper.

You don't mention the other rear brake but you should always service brakes in pairs and replace brake parts in pairs.
You should also check out the front brakes while you have the rear brakes apart.

And then bleed all the brakes with fresh clean brake fluid also.

 

[jcfritschner]

Calgary that is great, yet depressing, information. I really don’t want to have to replace the caliper. Luckily I currently work from home and have another means of transportation but not what I’d like to be spending money on and also not really looking forward to waiting for calipers to get in. I have used a crow bar in past to rotate these types of pistons but it’s not budging currently.

I have the second rotor and set of pads in the box ready for whenever I’m done with this one. Guess I should check it now and see if it is also seized. Just would prefer not to replace ANY of them. If the amount of rust on one compared to the other is any indication I might be ok with the rear passenger side.

 

[jcfritschner]

On a related note to replacing both rear pads and discs, I've seen recommendations to replace both rear calipers at the same time. Any truth to this?

 

[_Sam]

On a related note to replacing both rear pads and discs, I've seen recommendations to replace both rear calipers at the same time. Any truth to this?

Yes. The rear calipers are notoriously crap from the factory. My '09 was no different. Your other option is to rebuild them.

 

[Donnell]

Yes. The rear calipers are notoriously crap from the factory. My '09 was no different. Your other option is to rebuild them.

Really!!! 😳🤯😳

1st gen here ...

 

[_Sam]

Really!!! 😳🤯😳

1st gen here ...

Yeah, the pre-facelift 2nd gens had a bunch of issues that were sorted after 2011.

 

[jcfritschner]

Yeah, the pre-facelift 2nd gens had a bunch of issues that were sorted after 2011.

Should have clarified. I’ve got a 2012. Front calipers we’re pretty rusted too just not on the piston. Had to grind a lot of rust off before the pads would slide.

 

[_Sam]

Should have clarified. I’ve got a 2012. Front calipers we’re pretty rusted too just not on the piston. Had to grind a lot of rust off before the pads would slide.

Although less common, the facelift still had brake issues. Sounds like you’ve got it sorted though.

 

[jcfritschner]

Although less common, the facelift still had brake issues. Sounds like you’ve got it sorted though.

Time will tell how well the protective metallic coating on these carquest calipers hold up.