Hi, one of the pistons on my right caliper wont compress. Is rebuilding one hard? How much are rebuild kits? If anyone can explain to me how to do it I would greatly appreciate it.

 

These calipers are known for that. I have tried to find a rebuild kit and could not. If you can find one let me know.

 

Save yourself the hassle and buy a loaded caliper. Slap it on and bleed the system and you're done!

 

I believe toyota sells the rebuild kits for about $40 or so?

 

they were about $7 if I remember correctly.Now the piston is harder to find than an honest politician.My caliper had a stuck piston so i replaced it with one frome pip boys that had 4 new pistons in it for about 50$.Watch the advance calipers as they just sandblast em and throw in a kit.If you have a problem Im sure they will give you another,but I would rather pass.Anyway get a kit,split the caliper housing,blow out the pistons,clean everything,install seal and dustboot.The new kit doesnt come with the orings that go in the caliper housing{where the fluid goes from one half to another}but any quality oring should do.But be warned any rust or corrosion in the bore or on the piston is call for replacement.

 

if you really need to know how to rebuild it:
remove and cap the brake fluid line
remove the caliper from the truck
remove the dust boot(s) from the piston(s) and caliper housing
remove the piston(s) from the caliper
check for pitting in the caliper
pitting = re-bore the caliper and install oversized piston(s)
no pitting, just crud= thoroughly clean the caliper housing (and completely flush your brake system before you install the caliper), lightly hone the piston bore(s) with emery cloth leaving an approximate 60 degree cross-hatch pattern on the bore(s)
clean piston(s)
check the caliper bore(s) diameter(s) and compare with piston(s) diameter, if out of spec, order proper piston(s), or rebore the caliper and get new pistons
order oversized piston(s) and seal(s) to match the bore(s) if necessary or order appropriate rebuild kit(s) from your favorite supplier
install piston(s) in bore(s) with appropriate seal(s)
install dust boots
install caliper
finish installing brake(s), bleed, etc.

 

or in other words, it's quicker and easier to install new caliper(s)

 

Thats what ALL the remans do. They are all made with basically the same parts, the exact same way. The only difference is what marketing you believe.

 

No,actually they dont.Quality remans replace all pistons,sleeve the caliper housing{not bore although its a novel idea} and check housing dimensions for the correct clearance and test.That would be why the cost of a reman caliper varies greatly.I dont believe any marketing,just what I can see with my eyes,but for some guys harbor freights as good as snap on.

 

Shouldnt he take off the wheel first?