Caliper pistons rusted, do I need new calipers? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

redwood9d · 07-08-2022, 02:47 PM

Hey folks,
I'm getting ready to take my '13 FR-S to a track for the first time so I was doing some checks/inspections when I noticed the inside of my caliper pistons were completely rusted. (Photos attached) She was originally titled in CT so the rust isn't surprising, the amount of rust is what's concerning me.

Steel/brass brushes proved useless, and I'm worried this may not hold up on the track. I gently peeled back the rubber gasket and I saw that the outside of the pistons are relatively clean save for a few specks of rust.

I've got track pads and high temp fluid on the way, should I add calipers to my shopping list? If so, are the remanufactured ones on rockauto good? My heart wants to get new/reman'd calipers for peace of mind but that'd mean track day has to get postponed again

Thanks folks, happy to answer any other questions.

Vehicle specs:
2013 Scion FR-S
~87k miles

DarkPira7e · 07-08-2022, 02:50 PM

It's fine, the real worry is if those boots tear

redwood9d · 07-08-2022, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

It's fine, the real worry is if those boots tear

Really? Even with that much rust?
All 4 calipers look like that, I don't wanna end up in a wall or something on my first track day lol

DarkPira7e · 07-08-2022, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwood9d

Really? Even with that much rust?
All 4 calipers look like that, I don't wanna end up in a wall or something on my first track day lol

If you're not a fan of it, get some remanned calipers. I'm fairly certain mine are worse than this and they are functioning just fine. I understand wanting everything to be awesome for track use but as long as you can't put your finger through it, it's fine

redwood9d · 07-08-2022, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

If you're not a fan of it, get some remanned calipers. I'm fairly certain mine are worse than this and they are functioning just fine. I understand wanting everything to be awesome for track use but as long as you can't put your finger through it, it's fine

This actually calms me down quite a bit, thanks a million!

DarkSunrise · 07-08-2022, 03:57 PM

FWIW I’ve used a remanufactured caliper from Centric and it worked great and looked very clean. The only issue I ran into was the bracket for the brake line on the back side of the caliper was a bit small/tight. Not a huge issue, everything worked fine.

Ultramaroon · 07-08-2022, 05:48 PM

I always inspect and clean the boots by carefully pumping out the pots just enough to unfold and wipe them with a damp cloth. Use the brake pads to slowly push them back into place.

If you can find an old caliper, take it apart to see how it works. Those pistons are super thick.

Grady · 07-08-2022, 08:50 PM

Corrosion there is no issue. It is if it is inside the calipers that is different. I would clean it up, treat it and move on.

soundman98 · 07-08-2022, 09:09 PM

all calipers have rust within them like that. it's inherent to the design of all calipers. it's a cylinder of captured air-- moisture gets in there and will create some surface rust.

you could replace them, but the new one's will rust just the same, just as fast.

the only part to ever be concerned about is the part that the rubber boot covers. that's the part that seals in the brake fluid, and creates the hydralic pressure that makes for stopping. if that starts corroding under the boot, that ruins the seal, which leaks fluid, which can make for a very bad day.

Pat · 07-08-2022, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundman98

all calipers have rust within them like that. it's inherent to the design of all calipers.

That's not true. It depends on the materials used for the pistons.

soundman98 · 07-08-2022, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat

That's not true. It depends on the materials used for the pistons.

ok, all POOR calipers have rust like that.

if you don't like it, buy mclaren.

Ultramaroon · 07-08-2022, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundman98

ok, all POOR calipers have rust like that.

if you don't like it, buy mclaren.

Haha

redwood9d · 07-09-2022, 11:41 AM

Thanks to everyone who replied, I feel much better
I'm gonna save up for reman'd calipers for when I replace my rotors. Thanks guys!

Grady · 07-09-2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwood9d

Thanks to everyone who replied, I feel much better
I'm gonna save up for reman'd calipers for when I replace my rotors. Thanks guys!

Or save up and go BBK!

07-08-2022, 02:47 PM	#1
redwood9d Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: RVA Posts: 12 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Caliper pistons rusted, do I need new calipers? Hey folks, I'm getting ready to take my '13 FR-S to a track for the first time so I was doing some checks/inspections when I noticed the inside of my caliper pistons were completely rusted. (Photos attached) She was originally titled in CT so the rust isn't surprising, the amount of rust is what's concerning me. Steel/brass brushes proved useless, and I'm worried this may not hold up on the track. I gently peeled back the rubber gasket and I saw that the outside of the pistons are relatively clean save for a few specks of rust. I've got track pads and high temp fluid on the way, should I add calipers to my shopping list? If so, are the remanufactured ones on rockauto good? My heart wants to get new/reman'd calipers for peace of mind but that'd mean track day has to get postponed again Thanks folks, happy to answer any other questions. Vehicle specs: 2013 Scion FR-S ~87k miles Attached Images

07-08-2022, 02:50 PM	#2
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,949 Thanks: 3,210 Thanked 4,102 Times in 2,050 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	It's fine, the real worry is if those boots tear __________________ Turbo FR-S Build - Build Thread JDL EL Recirc manifold, Boostlab BL58x Turbo w/ T51R, 17x9 ARC-8, IAG block

07-08-2022, 03:57 PM	#6
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,794 Thanks: 2,165 Thanked 4,242 Times in 2,220 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	FWIW I’ve used a remanufactured caliper from Centric and it worked great and looked very clean. The only issue I ran into was the bracket for the brake line on the back side of the caliper was a bit small/tight. Not a huge issue, everything worked fine. __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

07-08-2022, 05:48 PM	#7
Ultramaroon chicken tonight Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 31,945 Thanks: 52,301 Thanked 36,617 Times in 18,980 Posts Mentioned: 1109 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	I always inspect and clean the boots by carefully pumping out the pots just enough to unfold and wipe them with a damp cloth. Use the brake pads to slowly push them back into place. If you can find an old caliper, take it apart to see how it works. Those pistons are super thick. __________________ service manuals

07-08-2022, 09:09 PM	#9
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,330 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,675 Times in 6,782 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	all calipers have rust within them like that. it's inherent to the design of all calipers. it's a cylinder of captured air-- moisture gets in there and will create some surface rust. you could replace them, but the new one's will rust just the same, just as fast. the only part to ever be concerned about is the part that the rubber boot covers. that's the part that seals in the brake fluid, and creates the hydralic pressure that makes for stopping. if that starts corroding under the boot, that ruins the seal, which leaks fluid, which can make for a very bad day. __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

07-09-2022, 11:41 AM	#13
redwood9d Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: RVA Posts: 12 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks to everyone who replied, I feel much better I'm gonna save up for reman'd calipers for when I replace my rotors. Thanks guys!

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