Replacing Calipers
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I will point out my experience. I think if you live in a cold climate where its freezing I believe the moisture in the brake fluid might actually cause the fluid to partially freeze or expand causing leaking over the winter. I seen it a couple times over the last 12 years or so on my car and when I see the dribble down the inside of the tire or on the floor I pump the brakes a couple times and the leak stops again not sure if its surface rust on unsleeved calipers or some type of expansion but you wouldnt think pumping the brakes would seal it back up for the rest of the driving season if it was rust. Ive only seen this happen like twice in the spring after sitting all winter in the garage.
I have not yet seen it on my 2 aftermarket replacement calipers for what thats worth.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 5
Autozone is where I originally bought the rebuild kits for my original calipers..
I will point out my experience. I think if you live in a cold climate where its freezing I believe the moisture in the brake fluid might actually cause the fluid to partially freeze or expand causing leaking over the winter. I seen it a couple times over the last 12 years or so on my car and when I see the dribble down the inside of the tire or on the floor I pump the brakes a couple times and the leak stops again not sure if its surface rust on unsleeved calipers or some type of expansion but you wouldnt think pumping the brakes would seal it back up for the rest of the driving season if it was rust. Ive only seen this happen like twice in the spring after sitting all winter in the garage.
I have not yet seen it on my 2 aftermarket replacement calipers for what thats worth.
I will point out my experience. I think if you live in a cold climate where its freezing I believe the moisture in the brake fluid might actually cause the fluid to partially freeze or expand causing leaking over the winter. I seen it a couple times over the last 12 years or so on my car and when I see the dribble down the inside of the tire or on the floor I pump the brakes a couple times and the leak stops again not sure if its surface rust on unsleeved calipers or some type of expansion but you wouldnt think pumping the brakes would seal it back up for the rest of the driving season if it was rust. Ive only seen this happen like twice in the spring after sitting all winter in the garage.
I have not yet seen it on my 2 aftermarket replacement calipers for what thats worth.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 279
From: New York
Autozone is where I originally bought the rebuild kits for my original calipers..
I will point out my experience. I think if you live in a cold climate where its freezing I believe the moisture in the brake fluid might actually cause the fluid to partially freeze or expand causing leaking over the winter. I seen it a couple times over the last 12 years or so on my car and when I see the dribble down the inside of the tire or on the floor I pump the brakes a couple times and the leak stops again not sure if its surface rust on unsleeved calipers or some type of expansion but you wouldnt think pumping the brakes would seal it back up for the rest of the driving season if it was rust. Ive only seen this happen like twice in the spring after sitting all winter in the garage.
I have not yet seen it on my 2 aftermarket replacement calipers for what thats worth.
I will point out my experience. I think if you live in a cold climate where its freezing I believe the moisture in the brake fluid might actually cause the fluid to partially freeze or expand causing leaking over the winter. I seen it a couple times over the last 12 years or so on my car and when I see the dribble down the inside of the tire or on the floor I pump the brakes a couple times and the leak stops again not sure if its surface rust on unsleeved calipers or some type of expansion but you wouldnt think pumping the brakes would seal it back up for the rest of the driving season if it was rust. Ive only seen this happen like twice in the spring after sitting all winter in the garage.
I have not yet seen it on my 2 aftermarket replacement calipers for what thats worth.
If you have not bled your brakes in let’s say 3 years, you need to. Brake fluid absorbs moisture. The water in the system is not good. As mentioned, it causes your calipers to leak. Especially if your car sits all winter.
It can also decrease the boiling point of the fluid. Not good if you’re a high-performance driver. (Time Trials and HPDE).
And your calipers are not the only thing rusting. Think of your steel brake lines.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I would think the real difference here between Zip and Ecklers would be.
If Zip says they have them in stock. They do.
If Ecklers says they have them in stock, it's truly a crap shoot.
Once upon a time I purchased a fair amount from Ecklers. But in the last 15 years or so they have really slipped.
They are certainly not my go to anymore.
And I will add, with certainty. When I Email Zip with a question of, "where do you source this part" they get back to me promptly and actually answer honestly.
If Zip says they have them in stock. They do.
If Ecklers says they have them in stock, it's truly a crap shoot.
Once upon a time I purchased a fair amount from Ecklers. But in the last 15 years or so they have really slipped.
They are certainly not my go to anymore.
And I will add, with certainty. When I Email Zip with a question of, "where do you source this part" they get back to me promptly and actually answer honestly.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,245
From: US-PNW
If you have not bled your brakes in let’s say 3 years, you need to. Brake fluid absorbs moisture. The water in the system is not good. As mentioned, it causes your calipers to leak. Especially if your car sits all winter.
It can also decrease the boiling point of the fluid.
It can also decrease the boiling point of the fluid.
<ahem> DOT 5 
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 5
I also live in Florida and DO NOT BUY ANYTHING from Ecklers. Variety of reasons but mainly they suck. Lost a seat track and wouldn’t refund me, sold my something they didn’t have again and refused to refund me. Buy from anyone else, Van steel is legit.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,948
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
