GX - 1st Gen (2003-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2003 -2009 GX470 models

Preventing Frozen/Rusted Calipers

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Old 05-01-16 | 03:04 PM
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Default Preventing Frozen/Rusted Calipers

Mine are great NOW. I don't mind doing a little preventive maintenance to keep them from freezing up in the future. Never ever had a piston freeze/rust up inside a caliper. Never seen it. Don't know what to do to prevent it. Is a seal failing allowing water in to rust? Whats the deal?
Old 05-02-16 | 12:29 PM
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make sure your caliper bolts are well greased.
Old 05-02-16 | 01:07 PM
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^ Not sure if that is going to work for the front calipers. They use slide pins that are not enclosed so greasing them is not going to really do to much for the piston freezing.

The only thing I could maybe see being a preventative measure would be to takt the caliper off the rotor. Remove the brakes and grease the boot where the pistons come out. Other than that, once moisture gets in there, its only a matter of time before it wears on the slip-o-ring.
Old 05-02-16 | 10:09 PM
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I bought the caliper repair kit and I rebuilt both front calipers. The pistons weren't sticking bad and after cleaning them and greasing them with the supplied lube, they moved freely. I think the key is to keep the pistons greased and the boots sealed tight. The kit comes with the rings that keep the boots sealed.

This the kit, not too bad of a job but definitely time consuming:

Amazon.com: Lexus 04479-60081, Disc Brake Caliper Repair Kit: Automotive Amazon.com: Lexus 04479-60081, Disc Brake Caliper Repair Kit: Automotive
Old 05-03-16 | 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by dkotanto
I bought the caliper repair kit and I rebuilt both front calipers. The pistons weren't sticking bad and after cleaning them and greasing them with the supplied lube, they moved freely. I think the key is to keep the pistons greased and the boots sealed tight. The kit comes with the rings that keep the boots sealed.

This the kit, not too bad of a job but definitely time consuming:

Amazon.com: Lexus 04479-60081, Disc Brake Caliper Repair Kit: Automotive
Interesting. How long did it take you to do the rebuild?
Old 05-03-16 | 06:04 AM
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i found an interesting article regarding the use of Castrol red rubber grease for brake pistons. It is rubber compatible for the seals and not petroleum based so it will not contaminate brake fluid. It also contains a rust inhibitor and used in applications like motorcycle shocks.

I lost the original article i was reading but here is one that outline its uses http://www.redrubbergrease.com/
Old 05-03-16 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by dkotanto
I bought the caliper repair kit and I rebuilt both front calipers. The pistons weren't sticking bad and after cleaning them and greasing them with the supplied lube, they moved freely. I think the key is to keep the pistons greased and the boots sealed tight. The kit comes with the rings that keep the boots sealed.

This the kit, not too bad of a job but definitely time consuming:

Amazon.com: Lexus 04479-60081, Disc Brake Caliper Repair Kit: Automotive
OK. That is what I was thinking it would require. I would think as long as the boot is in good shape I am OK. That is not too bad of a job from the look of it. Just takes a little time and then you bleed the entire system. Thanks.
Old 05-03-16 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by fastnoypi
i found an interesting article regarding the use of Castrol red rubber grease for brake pistons. It is rubber compatible for the seals and not petroleum based so it will not contaminate brake fluid. It also contains a rust inhibitor and used in applications like motorcycle shocks.

I lost the original article i was reading but here is one that outline its uses http://www.redrubbergrease.com/
If the original seal is in good shape you could just use that sparingly under the boot as a preventative measure.

Thanks.
Old 05-03-16 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by melcoeb
Interesting. How long did it take you to do the rebuild?
First caliper took a while, around 2-3 hours but the second one was a lot quicker.
Old 05-03-16 | 03:28 PM
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Here's a youtube video that was very helpful:

Old 05-04-16 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by co4wheel
OK. That is what I was thinking it would require. I would think as long as the boot is in good shape I am OK. That is not too bad of a job from the look of it. Just takes a little time and then you bleed the entire system. Thanks.
So you'll replace rotors instead of machining them but you'll rebuild a caliper instead of replacing it?
Old 05-04-16 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by melcoeb
make sure your caliper bolts are well greased.
Caliper bolts? Our front calipers don't use slide pins like they use in the rear. It's the actual Pistons that seize in the bore.
Old 05-04-16 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackCat81
So you'll replace rotors instead of machining them but you'll rebuild a caliper instead of replacing it?
The kit cost $15. To rebuild both caliper or just replace the exterior dust boot is easy and cheap insurance and preventive maintence.

And I buy quality rotors. Not the cheapest. But I would use cheaper rotors before I machined the ones on my truck which are already likely cheap Chinese as I bought it used
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