Hey guys, just took my car to garage because my rear caliper had seized. He checked all 4 and turns out all 4 have seized. Rusted all the way inside the piston. Mechanic was shocked when he saw it and I don't know how I've been stopping all this time.

He said to ask if there's alternative calipers that are made for the s2000. Stainless steel pistons or anything for better durability?

I don't want a big break kit or anything mad expensive. The ebay vultures are charging ridiculous money for refurbished oem ones too.

Thanks.

 

I'm questioning the fact that all 4 calipers are seized. That would mean that your brakes are stuck on or you have no brakes. Either way, it sounds like the issue here is likely that the brake fluid has never been changed. A brief google pulled up the explanation below of brake fluid's relationship with moisture.

Brake fluids are hygroscopic, what does this mean? Most brake fluids such as DOT 3 and DOT 4 are hygroscopic, meaning they will absorb moisture when exposed to air. The main enemy of brake fluid is moisture and this can be absorbed through brake lines or the brake fluid reservoir even when the vehicle is not driven.

Brake fluid will have temperature issues, in terms of performance, when it has significant water present. If you drive only on the street, you many not experience those issues. I'm surprised you could have enough moisture to rot things from the inside out without realizing it but it's possible. These cars are old. I think this is a maintenance issue, not a materials issue. Get a quality reman and make sure to change the fluid every 3 years or so.

 

A quick search on Ebay will get you a set of 4 used calipers for 200$ in good shape . buy them, clean them
and a set of pads your back in the game .very easy DIY

 

Hi mate, my brake fluid was changed a year ago.

I wish I took pictures of the calipers but inside the piston behind the rubber seals it's all rusted. So you may be right that the fluid wasn't changed regularly by previous owner which has caused the rust build up. It's even ate through the side of one of the pistons right on the edge lip. The breaks just about work but they need some heat in them and I can apply brake with enough pedal pressure. All this time I thought that's how it's meant to be. I've had the car for 2 years.

Managed to source oem replacements refurbished for the front 2. Just struggling to find the 2 for the rear without having to pay daft prices.

Was hoping a improved caliper was something people upgrade to was available on the market that's not a BBK.

BTW, when I did the brake fluid change, I used the ATE type 200 dot 4 fluid. Is there a fluid that's better and won't abosrb moisture instead?

Thanks.
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All brake fluid absorbs moisture.
Key is changing it every 1 to 2 years.

No, there's no Factory type calipers with stainless pistons that I know of.

You'll be fine with proper maintenance. These cars don't need anything special to survive well. Special stuff usually causes other unforseen issues.


A stainless piston inside of a cast iron caliper really only addresses rust concerns with 1 component. It would be a short sighted attempt to prevent issues.

 

Sometimes (Read: Often) moisture also finds it way under the dust boot of the brake calipers and cause the piston to corrode. It´s a good idea to have a look under the dust boot when you replace brake pads before you push the piston back. Put a little bit of brake caliper grease under the boot with a cotton swab to grease the piston and into the groove at the piston where the dust boot fits as additional seal. Done.

99.999% of car onwers and mechanics dont do this and dont have problems, just saying. But i like my brake jobs done right and i take my time.

 

rockauto.com have rear sets with carrier for around $300 fully refurbed.

 

I'm in the UK mate so would be getting them from a local source to avoid taxes and delays. Thanks anyway.

 

If sending the old ones away and being without the car for a short while is an option, you could get them refurbed. Bigg Red did mine and I was delighted with the results.

https://www.biggred.co.uk/

 

Exactly this, if you can. Very easy and took around a week including couriers.