Hi all,

I am looking to do the Tundra brake upgrade. However I am not sure where to source out the calipers from; new or salvage? I have a salvage place somewhat close to me that has 199mm for 30.00 each. I have seen an article here about rebuilding the Tundra calipers and it seems to be a fairly easy job. I am also concerned about going new and not getting my core refunded. I also need to know how much needs to bee removed from the back of the six spoke alloys to clear the 231mm calipers? Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure I have all the facts before I buy.

Thanks,

Scott

 

i used salvaged calipers without a problem, $30 seems like a fair price. You can use a 1/4'' wheel spacer and not have to grind the 6 spoke wheel. i did have a pretty bad vibration after using the spacers and ended up swapping wheels with my tacoma so i cant really say about how much you need to clearance the wheels

 

Let's see: brakes are the most important part of a truck.
I vote new, JMO because I like avoiding hitting things

 

I vote new too. No telling how long a set of calipers were sitting in the yard.

 

Used; I put a used pair of 231s on my 4 runner and they have been fine.

The only item(s) I would look out for on a used pair is a torn boot around the pistion as well as being able to get the bleeder to move freely (so it is not rusted in the caliper housing, have seen such before).

Post some pics when you're finished.

 

Just rebuild the calipers....eazy peeezy...

 

I vote used. I put the 231's on my rig, got them used with perfect condition pads and never turned rotors. Like mentioned above, inspect the boot. Plus, you're gonna bleed the brakes alot so the calipers will get all new fluid flushed thru them. Love my brake upgrade!

 

if you do go with the 199mm the rebuild kit is a simple project to do and while u have them torn down u can paint them all at the same time i did the 199mm and bought new rotors and they work far better than stock and there is a definite difference

 

wow... salvage yards around here will not sell used brake parts... not sure if its against the law or not... but they wont do it.

 

Get the used calipers, rebuild and paint them. Unless for some reason there were structural defects or weird problems with the cylinders then these will do you just as well as a new set.

Just make sure the cylinders have smooth travel, if there is an issue with this then take the honer and smooth them out a bit. (I do this as a part of the rebuild anyway.)

As always, properly test them once installed before you take it out on the road.

Also keep in mind, just because something is new doesn't mean that it will work properly.

 

It is Brakes if it is me I would go Brand New not rebuilt.

If you rebuild calipers on a regular basis then by all means go with used but if you live in the salt belt like here in Pa.The time spent getting them free so you can rebuild them to me isn`t worth it.

I would only use yard calipers for cores on a project like this.

What ever works

 

I vote salvage as long as you rebuild them (still costs less than new), not that difficult to do and allows you to see the real condition of them.

 

Exactly right. I'v had more than enough new stuff fail on me that I have learned to trust what I see with my own eyes and know from experience. I'll take a set of my own rebuilt calipers over something from an assembly line any day.

When you rebuild them you will know what you have. If there are any of the sort of problems that will make them fail you will see it and can get another one. Things from boxes put strait on to a vehicle don't usually get the same scrutiny. Better to know what you have now instead of arguing over whose fault it was later (sure if they were defective you can make them pay for it all, i'd rather not get into that situation to begin with).

Just my opinion and of course the odds say that new ones will work just fine. I just don't like spending more money for something I know less about.

 

Slightly OT, but which year Tundra had the 199s? Wanting to do this to mine since my taco eats rotors for lunch.

 

My brain is telling me 2002s had them, I believe in either 03 or 04 they switched to the 231s.

 

Calipers that young aren't going to be in that bad of shape no matter where you live. They are one of the easiest things to rebuild, and there is no need to spend more money than you have to. Chances are, calipers on a truck of that year won't need rebuilding anyways. I definitely vote going with the salvage yard calipers.

Whether you decide to go new(remanufactured), or used, make sure that you do several test runs up and down your street after you are done installing/bleeding them before you go out into traffic. Get up to 10, 15 mph and stomp on the brakes to make sure that they have been bled properly and your truck stops like it should. You might feel pressure on the line when you're bleeding them in the driveway, but things could be different once you're on the road.

Bottom line, brakes are not the things to half ass. (just to clarify myself, used calipers are not half-ass as long as they have been properly inspected/tested)

 

Are you guys buying your caliper rebuild kits from NAPA or can you get them from the dealership? About how much are they if you don't mind me asking.

Thanks

 

Well I can't speak to your local prices but in this area the rebuild kit costs anywhere from $5 to $15 per caliper depending on what its off of. I just run down to the local parts store and have them order them for me but I would imagine a dealership can get them just the same.

Keep in mind you will also want a caliper honer as well. Beyond that tool wise there isn't anything special that is needed. Just sockets/wrenches and the time to do it. A vise isn't required but it can make things a bit easier.