At what point do you need to rebuild calipers? I did a search and a few people mentioned that you only need to do one if there is a leak.... but is it possible for a caliper to begin binding (i.e., become more difficult for the piston to move resulting in un-even breaking) without having a leak? How do you know when to rebuild one?

Also, when rebuilding them, what do you do to clean out the piston bore in the caliper?

 

anyone?

 

Perhaps I put this in the wrong forum...

 

I've not rebuilt a caliper before but I can recall the number of times that the piston was the problem on one hand - I have to use a few hands to count when the slide pins needed some attention.

Another train of thought - seal kit is ~$15, two new slide pins ~$20, and a new piston for ~$20 = $55/caliper. LINK for 99 Si front brake

 

Calipers are a cinch to rebuild. Take the brake line off, unbolt it, remove it from the mounting bracket. Take the dust boot off, blow some compressed air into the brake line fitting while holding a rag in front of the piston, take the piston out, replace the inner seal, clean it up, lube inside with brake fluid and put the piston and boot on. It takes all of 10 min to do

 

I've rebuilt calipers, but not yet a Honda rear (handbrake mechanism). It's pretty easy.

Most of the time (like Chris said) it's just the external stuff. Clean & grease the slide pins & clean up the brakepad hardware. You don't even have to disconnect the hydraulics for that.

If the cylinder bore is messed up with corrosion or deep scratches, you can maybe hone it but often you can't.