Leaky brake caliper

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Old Apr 12, 2018 | 01:14 AM
  #1  
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Leaky brake caliper

My 05 has 135k on it and I replaced all 4 calipers about 2 years and 20k miles ago. I was told during a maintenance appointment that my front calipers were leaking so I inspected amd replaced both front calipers and pads myself. Sure enough they both had fluid seeping past the piston seal. They were inexpensive Auto Zone calipers so I figured they just went bad. As ironic as it may be I went back to Auto Zone and got the same ones as I haven't had problems with most of their parts otherwise. Nit even 2 weeks later and I notice when I'm under the car that the front passenger caliper is clearly leaking from the piston seal again? I have a hard time believing I'm getting lemons or the parts are that bad. The brakes seem to work perfectly fine but could there be another underlying cause?

The new caliper not even 2 weeks old.
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Old Apr 12, 2018 | 04:06 AM
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Are you sure these are factory new calipers or are they rebuilt/remanufactured calipers? I ask because if they are used and reconditioned, it isn't at all unusual for them to leak after a short period of time. I always recommend folks buy new calipers.
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Old Apr 12, 2018 | 08:31 AM
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stop buying autozone parts

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Old Apr 13, 2018 | 02:11 PM
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They're new, not reconditioned. I guess the answer is obvious in that the auto zone calipers just fail and arent reliable. I just overthought it and thought maybe a pressure issue or something else could cause it. And I figured I'd get some flack for that. But I habe a 15 TLX and the TL is just a beater at this point. Its not at all in mint condition and I have no desire to spend top dollar on every repair for a 13 year old car. So I guess I got what I paid for which apparently is a week of non leaky brakes
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Old Apr 13, 2018 | 03:03 PM
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rockauto.com has good replacement parts
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Old Apr 13, 2018 | 11:38 PM
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I've bought dozens of rebuilt autozone/advance calipers over the years and don't recall any leakers.

What brake fluid are you using?
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Old Apr 30, 2018 | 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Pair of TLs
I've bought dozens of rebuilt autozone/advance calipers over the years and don't recall any leakers.

What brake fluid are you using?
valvoline dot 3&4 from AutoZone
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Old May 1, 2018 | 11:47 PM
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Did you do a full brake fluid flush? And is it dot 3 or 4? Can't be both
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Old May 2, 2018 | 04:00 AM
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Originally Posted by WDPanda
Did you do a full brake fluid flush? And is it dot 3 or 4? Can't be both
Sure it can; DOT 3 and DOT 4 can be mixed with no issue; however, the same isn't true when it comes to mixing either with DOT 5.
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Old May 2, 2018 | 06:40 AM
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FWIW: thoiboi provided some good advice above. I have used ROCKAUTO calipers four times in the past three years, and never experienced an issue. Normally, ROCKAUTO prices are at least competitive with, or lower than most chain stores, and in my opinion, the part quality is superior. Unless it's an emergency, and i need a part immediately, I avoid the chains.
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Old May 2, 2018 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
Sure it can; DOT 3 and DOT 4 can be mixed with no issue; however, the same isn't true when it comes to mixing either with DOT 5.
it's not about the mixing. I didn't know they had a dot 3&4. I would personally like one that says either dot 3 or 4 and flush it completely.
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 04:09 PM
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I just discovered a leaky right rear caliper. I guess I am going back with OEM. I dont trust all the rest. 123k miles aint bad. And probably the only reason it went bad was "delayed brake bleeding job" and when I did do it, I noticed it was sticking AND I didn't bleed it well enough, I think. The right rear was the only one that was sticky at one time a few years ago. now it leaks. So, just going back with OEM. But dang they want you to buy the Entire mounting bracket! https://www.acurapartswarehouse.com/...8-sep-a00.html
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