While many of the parts that make up your vehicle’s brake system will require regular maintenance or replacement, brake calipers are more often than not engineered to last for the lifespan of your vehicle. However, life has a way of presenting unexpected circumstances, and it may come about that you need to replace your brake calipers.
You may have come across a common term related to braking systems, the “brake kit”. While some more obvious parts, like brake pads, are sure to be included, what about lower maintenance parts? Well, let’s dive into that question.
Brake kits vs. individual parts
Pick and choose
Some brake kits come with calipers included alongside parts that require more frequent repair, like brake pads and rotors.
Much of the time this will depend on where precisely you are purchasing the brake kits, and may also depend on the make and model of your vehicle. A brake kit for a 2011 Toyota Corolla that includes calipers may be much easier to find than a brake kit for a 1965 Shelby Cobra.
Most often, you will find that brake kits contain only the brake pads and the rotors, as these are the parts most likely to break down or require maintenance on a regular schedule.
It should also be mentioned that, while brake kits may not contain the calipers you need, calipers can almost always be purchased on their own either individually or in pairs.
It should likewise be mentioned that if you are replacing the caliper on one side of the vehicle, it would be wise to replace the other one at the same time to avoid uneven braking or other potential problems.
Bundle high-maintenance parts with low-maintenance parts to save
In general, brake pads will need to be changed out fairly frequently, especially if you live in a hilly area that requires a lot of braking, or have long commutes in stop-and-go traffic. Rotors are more robust but still require regular maintenance. They will generally need to be replaced with much less frequency than brake pads, but eventually, they will need replacing.
Calipers, on the other hand, are built sturdy and designed to last as long as possible–often for the entire life of the vehicle. But because of this, when a caliper does need replacing it is usually because it has become damaged in some way that impedes its function.
If this is the case, then replacing the caliper becomes a high priority.
If the damage continues to worsen, it could lead to damage to other parts of your vehicle, and even a potential accident if the brakes fail completely.
Because of this, it is never a bad idea to purchase a set of low-maintenance parts–the calipers, in this instance–when purchasing related high-maintenance parts such as the pads or rotors.
There’s an old saying that goes, “it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it”. It’s a good axiom to live by!
Purchasing a set of calipers in a brake kit when you need to perform maintenance on the pads or rotors will not only potentially save you money–parts tend to be cheaper when you purchase them in bulk or a kit than individually–but will also give you the peace of mind of having a set of calipers on hand if something happens and you need to change them out.
Repair in pairs
When replacing worn pads or rotors, it may be tempting to only replace one worn piece and leave the other alone. In general, this is not a wise decision. Brake pads especially are designed to be replaced in pairs, and failure to do so can result in uneven or unreliable braking.
Similarly, rotors ought to be replaced in pairs as well. This will provide your vehicle with smooth, efficient braking, and will also give you the peace of mind of knowing you have brand-new components in one of the most critical components of your vehicle. After all, if one rotor needs replacing, it’s likely that the other will also need replacing in a relatively short amount of time.
Replacing the needed parts in pairs will also help prevent uneven tire wear.
Stay ahead of brake repairs
How often do brakes need to be replaced?
In general, brake pads need to be replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles of basic driving. This number can be affected by a couple of different variables. If, for instance, you live in an area that requires a higher-than-average amount of braking–say at the top of a hill, or in a mountainous region–then you will likely wear through your brakes faster.
Also, the type of brake pad you have installed on your vehicle will affect how fast it wears out. The organic brake pads–which are made up of softer ‘organic’ materials–will wear out much faster than the harder semi-metallic brake pads. And the semi-metallic pads will wear out faster than the higher-quality ceramic pads.
But as a general rule of thumb, expect to need to replace your brake pads every 10,000 miles or so. Certainly, you should not go past 20,000 miles before replacing them.
What other parts of my brake assembly will need replacing?
When you take your vehicle to a mechanic, you may hear them mention something called a ‘complete’ brake job. This involves going through your entire brake system and replacing everything and anything that needs replacing. The components that may need replacing in a disk brake system are as follows:
- Hoses: your bake system is hydraulic, using brake fluid to extend the pistons in the calipers to press the brake pads up against the rotors. The brake fluid flows through a series of hoses, and occasionally these hoses may become cracked or swollen and need replacing. These are low-maintenance parts and do not generally need repairing.
- Steel lines: these are usually the permanent pieces that the hoses connect to. These are also very low-maintenance, and won’t generally need replacing.
- Calipers: These are the primary part of the actual brakes themselves. They house the brake pads and the pistons that press the pads against the rotors. These are low-maintenance, but may occasionally need replacing if damaged or malfunctioning.
- Master cylinder: This is the primary piece of the hydraulics in your brake system. It provides the pressure that drives the brake fluid through the lines to operate the pistons in the calipers. The master cylinder is also very low-maintenance and generally will not need to be replaced unless damaged.
- Rotors: these are attached to the wheel hub assembly, and are what the brake pads compress against to provide the friction that slows down the vehicle when brakes are applied. Because they are the subject of friction and heat, they will eventually wear out. In general, rotors will need to be replaced every 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
AutoShack can help you save on all your brake kit needs
One of the best ways to save when looking for brake kits is to purchase them from a reputable after-market parts dealer. AutoShack has a large inventory of brake parts including pads, rotors, and calipers. It’s even pretty easy to find kits that include all three.
Browsing our inventory is as simple as going to our website and entering your vehicle’s information in our easy-to-use search bar. It guarantees that the parts you purchase will work for your make and model, no guesswork needed.
We also provide fast, free shipping on most orders, with purchases going out 3-5 business days after being placed. We also offer expedited shipping for those needed repairs, with expedited orders shipping out within 1-2 business days.
Whether you’re in need of a complete brake kit, or are looking for other parts for your vehicle, stop by our website, enter your vehicle’s information, and start browsing our inventory today!