Hi guys

I've had a creak come from my rear brakes for a while now. If you push on the brake pedal, there's a loud creak from the rear brakes. This happens not only while braking, but if the pedal is pushed when at a complete stop and even with the engine off.

My mechanic's looked at it but couldn't find anything wrong. Took it somewhere else today and they recommended to me to buy new calipers. I got given a very technical explanation which went straight over the top of my head, but it had something to do - I think - with the piston inside the caliper being twisted? And something about wearing away a ball inside the caliper. Like I said, went right over my head lol The guy did not recommend a caliper rebuild as he thought the problem may come back again. He also said that there was a small possibility that brake fluid may start leaking if left undiagnosed. Either way, he said it was something that should be attended to very soon (even though it's been happening for probably close to a year now :ninja:)

He said that the VR-X had different calipers ('performance' calipers lol) compared to other models. I know it's still a single piston/same rotor as the other models, but I do recall reading on Autospeed years back that the brakes on the VR-Xs were slightly upgraded over the regular models. Can anyone confirm whether or not the VR-Xs share the same part number for the caliper as regular TJs?

Finally, I got quoted $430 for two brand new factory rear TJ VR-X calipers.... fair price?

Main reason why I ask all this is that - *ahem* - I went to a chain store for this and I want to make sure they're not pulling my leg. They did seem pretty legit though - told me I could reuse my old rotor and pad no dramas, and didn't even charge me for the 45mins or so they had it on the hoist.

Cheers

Hi guys

I've had a creak come from my rear brakes for a while now. If you push on the brake pedal, there's a loud creak from the rear brakes. This happens not only while braking, but if the pedal is pushed when at a complete stop and even with the engine off.

My mechanic's looked at it but couldn't find anything wrong. Took it somewhere else today and they recommended to me to buy new calipers. I got given a very technical explanation which went straight over the top of my head, but it had something to do - I think - with the piston inside the caliper being twisted? And something about wearing away a ball inside the caliper. Like I said, went right over my head lol The guy did not recommend a caliper rebuild as he thought the problem may come back again. He also said that there was a small possibility that brake fluid may start leaking if left undiagnosed. Either way, he said it was something that should be attended to very soon (even though it's been happening for probably close to a year now :ninja:)

He said that the VR-X had different calipers ('performance' calipers lol) compared to other models. I know it's still a single piston/same rotor as the other models, but I do recall reading on Autospeed years back that the brakes on the VR-Xs were slightly upgraded over the regular models. Can anyone confirm whether or not the VR-Xs share the same part number for the caliper as regular TJs?

Finally, I got quoted $430 for two brand new factory rear TJ VR-X calipers.... fair price?

Main reason why I ask all this is that - *ahem* - I went to a chain store for this and I want to make sure they're not pulling my leg.

Cheers

VRX rear brakes are 100% the same as an exec. I would say just get a 2nd hand caliper from the wreckers. very strange for this to happen.
2nd hand caliper from the wreckers would cost about $50, couple this with $15 of brake fluid and a flush and problem fixed.

Well that's it hey, if the calipers are the same I may as well get a second-set. Never heard of anyone needing to *replace* their calipers before. 140k km old so not that old really. Heck I only got the pads and rotors done 20k km ago :p

FYI this is what it sounds like. May need to turn your volume up. Obviously the engine's off ;o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS6Vr6B77k4

I had the same problem in my old honda.rebleed the brakes with new fluid and you'll be fine. Could be old fluid, air bubble or a bit of water in the lines. I always replace my fluid in my cars every 60000k. itll only cost you max of $20 and if it still happens then may need to replace the caliper.

You know, fluid probably makes sense. It only creaks when the car's warmed up a bit. Jump in from cold and it's fine. And if you notice in the video, the more I do it with the engine off, the more it goes away (although if the engine was still on it would have kept doing it).

Twisting piston? Not likely! Last time a piston went stupid in a caliper the whole caliper shattered on me. Pull the caliper apart and have a look. Clean up any scoring with fine wet and dry. Brake dust can build up in the caliper and cause it to seize when it should retract, and creak when you push the pedal. AFAIK there are never any balls in calipers. The guide pins can freeze up though, needs lubing. This can cause creaking.


If you clean out all of the calipers and lube the guide pins, with fresh fluid, you will have the quietest and smoothest brakes ever - just like new!

Try lubing the pins first if you don't want to mess with the insides of the calipers.

That sounds to me like the guide pins are not properly lubricated or are worn, first try to remove the calipers, clean and lube the pins with either rubber greese or lithium greese, if the problem still persists see a doctor...oops...I mean I have some here with 47ks' on them, $60 for the pair plus $15 postage