Brake Job Help Plz!!

So I was recently putting lubricant on my front brake pads because of some squeaking, and I came to find out that my front left brake caliper had a bottom right piston seize up! I tried my hardest to get it to unseize, but I couldn’t get it unstuck... I realize that I should probably buy a new brake caliper, but I thought to myself if I should just buy a whole new caliper, pads, and rotor set for the front! The pads right now are about 50 percent life left, and the rotors seem to be fine... but the car was a northern car so it has some rust problems on the edge of the rotors.

Can I get some opinions if I should just go for these options:

1: Just one remanufactured caliper (W/WO new pads)

2: Just one New Caliper (W/WO new pads)

3: Or a whole new set??

thanks again guys!!

 

I would go with a whole set. Why do half the job?

 

If it's not too expensive, I would do complete sets on both sides. You'll thank yourself when you don't have to mess with the other side again in a year.

Otherwise, at a minimum I would do pads on both sides so that one side shouldn't need replacing before the other.

 

I'd check the forums to see if any of the 5th gen guys up north have issues with seizing calipers. No issues with rust down here in GA but I did have a driver front seize up on me and opted to replace all 4 corners with 5th gen calipers and braided SS brake lines as it seemed to be a slight upgrade and everything bolted right up no problem. Might save you doing the job again in the future if it seems the that 5th gens hold up better to the elements.

Only issue I had with this swap was that I ended up needing to stick with 4th gen rear rotors. Center hole diameter on the 5th gen rotor was slightly larger keeping it from centering itself on the hub. 4th gen rotors were the same or close enough in dimension to work just fine with 5th gen calipers.

 

I joined this forum to see about this. I have a 2017 4Runner and it only has 46,000 miles and had 2 seized calipers with plenty of pad left. Had to replace all 4 calipers and they didn’t warranty it with my extended warranty.

 

I watched a good mechanic doing the brake calipers on my 2005 4runner (150,000 mils) struggle for over an hour to free the pistons only to have them freeze up again. I'd buy rebuilt one from Amazon next time. The price for both calipers is good, and they fit my car. Make sure you put in the year, type etc. into the Amazon site so you get the right calipers.

$130 A-Premium Disc Brake Caliper Assembly with Bracket Compatible with Select Toyota and Lexus Models - 4Runner/GX470, 2003-2009, 4.0L 4.7L - Front Driver and Passenger Side, 2-PC Set

Amazon.com: A-Premium Front Wheel Brake Caliper with Bracket Replacement for Toyota 4Runner Lexus GX470 2003-2009 with 17 inches Wheelbase Left Right Set of 2: Automotive

• 1 year unlimited-mileage quality guarantee

If only one of your BRAKE calipers is "stuck" just replace it and leave the other for NOTHER DAY IMO.

 

2019 4runner Premium 18,400 miles. Brake pistons froze, cost $1,400 + to replace them as well as pads that were worn uneven as a result. Dealer said it happens often and will happen again unless brakes are "cleaned" at least every second oil change.