Caliper replacement on a Kia

[Kavy]

My lady friend needs to replace a leaking calliper on her Kia Soul. Does Anyone have a suggestion on where she can go where they aren’t going to convince her she needs headlight fluid?

[ExtraSlow]

out of warranty, I assume? This isn't a difficult job, so a smaller shop, and ask for a written estimate, then take that away and have a more mechanically savvy friend review it.

[mr2mike]

Change the whole caliper.
New pads on both calipers L&R.
Bleed system.
Bed the pads.

Maybe new rotors depending on age and condition.

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, this is strickyl a parts replacement. Honestly, something a home mechanic can do reasonably easily. I find brake work some of the simplest. Just go with all new parts. Order from Rockauto if you have time.

[mr2mike]

Parts avatar
Cheaper shipping.

[ShermanEF9]

I usually take part numbers and check amazon as well. Its been mixed results.

As said, this is a simple nuts and bolts job. get the rear brakes done as well while you're in there.

[Flexray]

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My lady friend needs to replace a leaking calliper on her Kia Soul. Does Anyone have a suggestion on where she can go where they aren’t going to convince her she needs headlight fluid?

Caliper leaks are actually kinda rare, it's not something you see very often. I'm assuming it is leaking out of the piston seal? Almost every piston seal leak that I have seen came from someone damaging the piston dust boot. Dirt and salt will get in and damage the seal causing it to leak. Once it leaks it usually soaks the inboard pad with brake fluid. Brake pads are like sponges, you cannot clean them. If the pads have brake fluid in them it will put a brownish finish on the rotor face.

Brake parts are replaced in pairs. This is done to keep the friction coefficient the same left to right. Replacing one caliper can cause a brake pull or wear one side faster than the other reducing the life of the brakes. You will probably be replacing the pads, rotors, and calipers.

Be careful of remanufactured brake calipers, poor reman's will also leak out of the piston seal after a few months. Generally, you get what you pay for.

Brakes are simple to replace compared to other automotive repairs. But still get screwed up all the time. Keep in mind, this system stops your 2000 pound vehicle. Loosing brakes is absolutely terrifying. Most times the caliper or caliper bracket bolts fall out from not being torqued properly, the caliper will grind into the wheel preventing it from completely falling out. If you have big wheels, the caliper will fall off and when you push the brake it will pop the piston out of the caliper. You now have the parking brake to stop the vehicle.

Most shops can handle this. If you feel you are being fed a line of bs, you probably are and take your vehicle for another opinion.

[suntan]

Any of the Knibbe locations or Hawkwood Auto.