Buying the Right Brake Calipers

Mark Bach

March 20, 2025

7 min read

Mark Bach

March 20, 2025

7 min read

A mechanic wearing black gloves installing a brake caliper. — The eBay Parts Finder allows you to find brake calipers that are compatible with your vehicle.

Your brake system needs consistent maintenance, regardless of your vehicle model and driving routine. Brake pads wear out, and rotors become thin or warped. Calipers also lose the ability to do their essential job—squeezing the brake pads against the rotor to slow and stop a vehicle. Our article, Brake Calipers 101 - opens in new window or tab. , provides the basics about this vital component.

Ready to install new brake calipers? Our visual guide and video provide detailed step-by-step instructions - opens in new window or tab. .

Braking generates heat, which, over time, can damage the caliper. In addition, rain, salt, and road grime can corrode the metal parts in a caliper. A piston may seize and fail to function correctly within the caliper. The most common cause for brake caliper failure is driving on worn-out pads or warped rotors.

Should you replace your brake calipers in pairs?

Yes. Replacing your calipers in pairs ensures consistent and equal braking on both sides of the car. Brake calipers are commonly replaced every 75,000 to 100,000 miles.

Caliper Design Choices

A caliper relies on hydraulic pistons to force the brake pad against the rotor. Calipers commonly come in one, two, or four-piston designs. Many cars, especially performance cars, rely on more pistons to apply greater and more consistent brake pad pressure against the rotor.

If you would like to upgrade your braking system, buy calipers with more pistons. While many calipers include eight or more pistons, choosing a four-piston caliper provides sufficient improvements in braking for most drivers while not overspending.

Brake calipers come in three different styles: floating, fixed, or swinging. Floating calipers are the most common. A fixed caliper uses hydraulic pressure to push both brake pads against the rotor, allowing for better braking performance. However, a fixed caliper is more complex and expensive, and manufacturers do not offer this option for all vehicles. Swinging calipers are rarely used on modern vehicles.

When purchasing new calipers, you can choose their level of completeness.

Loaded: A loaded caliper already has a replacement brake pad installed. This minimizes the installation process but limits your choice of brake pads.

Semi-loaded: These calipers come with the mounting hardware and brackets but without a brake pad.

Unloaded: This part is strictly the basic caliper, requiring you to locate and install a new brake pad and hardware to complete the replacement process.

When replacing calipers, it’s important to distinguish between the front and back sets. Rear calipers typically engage the parking brake, either mechanically or electrically, so they have a more complex hardware setup.

Brake calipers are commonly made from iron. Although relatively heavy, a coated iron caliper offers decent function, good looks, and some cost savings. Some offerings come in aluminum, stainless steel, or carbon ceramic to allow for less weight but at a higher cost. Exotic cars might use carbon fiber for maximum weight reduction. Aluminum is also a good option if you want to reduce weight.

How Much Brake Calipers Cost

A close up photograph of a sports car’s yellow brake caliper and drilled rotor, showing through the alloy wheel. — High-end specialized brake calipers can be pricey but add bling to your ride.

For unloaded brake calipers, a new one that matches original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specs will likely cost $125 each. There are also many safe, high-quality, remanufactured brands to consider. Expect to pay around $100 for a basic, rebuilt caliper. On the other end, an unloaded high-performance caliper with four pistons can cost $400 or more.

For loaded brake calipers, plan on adding between $100 and $150 per caliper to this pricing. That pays for the additional hardware and brake pad. In other words, a single loaded caliper could cost between $225 and $500.

Buying semi-loaded calipers allows you to select your pads with the provided hardware. That saves a few dollars compared to a loaded brake caliper, but you’ll still need to purchase pads separately. Semi-loaded calipers give you more flexibility and save time but do not necessarily save money. Many owners prefer the flexibility of adding a specific brake pad to the semi-loaded caliper.

Remember, these prices are for one caliper, and it is best to replace both sides simultaneously.

When you’re ready to buy brake calipers, go to the eBay Parts Finder - opens in new window or tab. . Enter your year, make, model, engine, and trim to find parts that fit your vehicle. This will allow you to filter down to parts that are compatible with your original caliper mounting points.

Replacing brake calipers is a fairly simple DIY job that takes one or two hours. See our detailed how-to guide and video - opens in new window or tab. , which provides step-by-step instructions.

Parts and Accessories Related to Brake Caliper Replacement

A brake caliper tool kit with a blue plastic case, displayed on a white background. — A brake caliper tool kit is a good investment.

Brake caliper tool kit: When replacing or repairing your brake calipers, you need the right tools. A caliper tool kit comes with a compression tool - opens in new window or tab. , a spreader tool, and a brake bleeding kit. All of these are incredibly helpful when working on your vehicle’s brakes.

Brake lines: Replacing your brake caliper gives you a chance to inspect the full brake system. Are all the parts in good shape? Replacing the caliper means bleeding your brakes so you’re saving time bundling fixes. Consider buying a brake bleeder kit.

Brake fluid: It’s also an excellent time to check your fluid. Is it low or dirty? Flush out the old and get some new stuff in there.

Pads: While you are replacing your brake calipers, take a look at the brake pads. Most manufacturers suggest replacing the pads once they are between three and four millimeters thick.

Rotors: If you had old calipers that were not applying pressure evenly, you could have warped the brake rotors. Check the rotors when you remove the calipers and see if they need to be resurfaced or replaced.

Performance brake kits: If you want to upgrade your brakes, a performance brake kit has everything you need. It includes high-end calipers, lightweight rotors, and pads with extra friction for more responsive braking.

Dress Up Your Existing Brake Calipers

An enthusiast wearing a black nitrile glove, spray painting a brake caliper red, with the vehicle’s wheel well components fully masked out with black plastic and green painter’s tape. — Masking the wheel well and its components is essential when spray painting brake calipers while on the vehicle.

Calipers are a visible part of your ride’s appearance. Consider adding style and color with a recognized brand, such as Baer, Brembo, or Wilwood.

Another option is to paint your calipers. Heat-resistant paint made for brake calipers comes in a wide array of colors.

Remember to prep the caliper well. You might want to sand down the rough casting for a smoother finish. Clean the caliper with a brake cleaner or solvent to reduce any oils. Use a quality high-temperature paint specifically made for brake components. Apply light coats of paint until you achieve the desired look.

If you’re not keen on painting your calipers, consider adding attractive brake caliper covers. Covers give you the same look as paint but without the extra work.

Read this: Dress Up Your Ride With Brake Bling - opens in new window or tab.

About the author

Mark Bach

Mark C. Bach has oil in his veins and remembers feeler gauges and brake springs. He has a love for all things that move, especially old-school muscle cars. Bach writes for a variety of outlets, including Chevy Classics, Fuel Curve, and Route 66 Pub Co.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.