Hello,

Pretty noob question, but I can't seem to find a solid opinion on this:

Last week my left-front caliper seized when I tried taking my XJ over 40mph -- smoking wheel, slight pulling to the left. NYS state inspection was coming up so I took it to a mechanic to fix and take care of everything at once. He replaced the caliper. Also replaced that left-front rotor, which was pretty worn down. Passed inspection and was on my way.

This weekend, suddenly the right front wheel seized, started smoking and pulling slightly to the right. So now that caliper needs replacing, I guess?

Thing is, there was absolutely no problems with that right side before this. Plus, I specifically asked the mechanic if I should just get both front calipers replaced at the same time, as I thought that you were supposed to fix those in pairs, instead of just one at a time.

Am I right on having both calipers replaced? Or is this new problem pointing to some other issue? Far as I know, both calipers are originals. The brake system had been overhauled about a year ago.

Thanks in advance!

 

I always replace in pairs. if one had failed, the other cant be too far behind. IF you are going to replace only one, I still recommend replacing both rotors and pads.

 

Yeah, pretty much anything that comes in pairs should be replaced in pairs. The evidence in this case is pretty clear: two failures, this close to each other, is either an incredible coincidence, or a result of the fact that both parts wore at about the same rate, because they got about the same use. I've definitely done the "replace only one" thing before, when I was way broke, and sometimes you have to, but you've got to know that unless there was uneven wear for some reason, both are going to fail at about the same time.

 

^^ Truth. Except in the case of trail damage paired or mirrored parts should be replaced together. Even in the case of trail damage I would replace the pair. Example is a front axel U-joint. If I were to break one side on the trail, I would replace both sides. I might wait till I got home to do the second, but i would get changed very close to when the first got changed so that they are on the same maintenance interval.

 

Definitely replace both. I'm not sure but wouldnt you get a funky feel if one caliper is seizing and the other is operating normally?

 

Both Both Both Calipers!!!

 

Without doubt, replace both. It is recommended procedure to replace both calipers at the same time. I've also had two calipers lock up at two separate occasions,but both times ive replaced the pair. I don't know about your '97, but with my '92 the cheapest place I've found is o'reilly's. After the core they came out to be about $20 each. Although it could be your brake line.

 

brake systems require a certain amount of balance. I would be uncomfortable driving more than a short distance if one side of a balanced system was new and one side was old or suspect. I've always done everything in pairs. Like the previous posts say - if one goes the other will likely go soon. I feel the same way about springs and shocks. Who wants one side stiff and one side soft? better to be safe and keep a good balance!

 

Thanks very much for the rapid response, guys! Sounds like I was right to want both calipers replaced instead of just one. Specifically asked the mechanic if I should do that, cost be damned; don't know why he didn't go for it.

I just found it strange that the right side would all of a sudden break down, right after the other side was fixed, when there was no problem on the right before. Live and learn. But at least, sounds like there are no suspects here other than the calipers. Thanks again.

 

I used to live in VT so I know what salt-rust can do to brakes. It was pretty typical to find rust on the cylinders, pins, and everything else inside the calipers. The pads anti-rattle springs would just dissolve and be gone regularly on the 3 different cars/trucks I had. I regularly cursed NaCl. It dissolved my ford ranger right in half and I was actively fighting it!

 

I am doing that today, just taking a break.. Replacing both rotors, and pads on both sides, but just one caliper.. Until I get my core charge back on the first one. Then I'll put on the second.. Poor folks got to juggle that stuff sometimes lol..

 

I live in NY also and I would change both just like everyone else suggested. 1 thing that has made my life easier to work on my Jeep and keep it clean is a Powerwasher I bought 2 yrs ago for the house on sale at the end of summer-great deal. Since I've been washing out underneath the Jeep and when I did my rear shoes when a cylinder went I shot the whole thing down and it made it so much easier to work on.
Did my engine bay also and it looks great. Now If it has a leak somewhere I know its new and very easy to spot.

 

I replaced one rear caliper on a car I used to own. I was poor, and would have replaced the other side if I could have.

But being the rear it didn't concern me near as much. However, this is the front, and 75% (ish) stopping power is the front, so if you can, do both.

 

I have very rarely seen a caliper lock up. 9 times out of 10 it is the hose collapsed internally. You will never see it.

Jack up the side in question, spin the wheel. If something is wrong it should be fairly hard to spin. Looseen the the bleeder screw on the caliper so fluid can flow through it, then spin by hand. If it is easier to spin, then its a hose, if there is no diffrence, then it is MOST likely a caliper (or a blockage up farther)

 

When you change brake friction, do you do one side or both?
When you buy tyres, do you buy one or two? Three or four?
When you change the U-joints in a driveshaft, do you to one at a time or all of them at once?

I change both sides of brake friction, buy tyres in pairs, and replace all of the joints in a driveshaft. You may not need to replace both calipers at once, but there's no logical reason to not change them both (you have to bleed the whole system anyhow,) and I feel better when I've done both sides - ditto drum wheel cylinders. I've never changed just one caliper. People have told me I go to too much effort, but they have brake trouble and I usually don't.

Hm. You tell me.