Rear caliper - to rebuild or buy remanufactured

[alexk02]

While changing brake pads, noticed the piston rubber seal in one rear caliper (disc brakes front and back) was torn. The piston was not frozen - C-clamp pushed it back to make room for the new pads.

 

Question: does anyone sell the new rubber seal or it's better to buy a remanufactured caliper? 1st Subaru parts is preferable or Pep Boys or equivalent would be good too?

 

Thanks, Alex

[gbhrps]

alexk02,

 

I would definitely source out a caliper seal kit and replace just the piston dust seal, if the unit is fairly clean, free of corrosion, and a candidate for a positive seal after the job is done. You'll find it much cheaper than a new caliper, particularly if you can do the job yourself. If you have doubts, replace the caliper. Good luck!

[99obw]

FWIW when I recently put new rear discs and pads on the outback I chose to finally replace both calipers with rebuilds from Advance Auto Parts. Very happy with the parts and the car has never stopped better. The original calipers were in very rough shape from road salt over the years, so I thought that rebuilding them might be a waste of time.