Though every part of your car’s brake system is vital, the calipers are the first line of defense against failure.
Brake caliper issues can arise in the form of sticking or dragging calipers and brake calipers that do not provide enough clamping force; by the time your brake calipers exhibit symptoms, in many situations, brake calipers will need to be replaced.
We will provide a breakdown of the costs associated with replacing calipers and then follow it with some diagnostic tips to help determine if you need to replace any calipers.
Quick Overview of Brake Calipers
Your brake calipers are mechanical devices that hold your brake pads and clamp them against the brake rotors when you step on the brake pedal. The clamping process generates friction, which helps to slow down and ultimately stop your car.
Most passenger vehicles use a sliding caliper design. When you apply the brakes, the hydraulic pressure pushes a piston inside the caliper, and the inner brake pad is pressed against the rotor. Patients will closely pull the caliper housing inwards, which then pushes the outer pad against the other side of the rotor.
Brake calipers are designed to work for many years (usually 75,000 to 100,000 miles), but can ultimately fail due to corrosion, piston seizing, damaged seals, or a worn sliding mechanism.
Symptoms of failure include uneven braking, pulling to one side, strange noises, or brake fluid leaks in the area of a caliper. Repair may be possible, but any caliper that has run its course and it is a full replacement, which is the most common (and safest).
Average Brake Caliper Replacement Cost
The average cost to replace a brake caliper is generally $250 to $750 per caliper for most passenger vehicles. This average is the total cost for the parts and labor combined, but the price will vary based on many factors.
Parts Cost
A single brake caliper costs, on average, between $100-$300; or if getting remanufactured calipers, it will cost a bit less, around $70-$200. Most mechanics will want you to replace calipers in pairs (both front or both rear), not because it is a hard rule, but for good reason.
If you have had one caliper fail/failing, the other will likely not be far behind. Additionally, the new caliper will have less drag from piston seals and will cause a small amount of pull to one side when applying the brakes.
Calipers don’t always need to be replaced in pairs, but in most cases, they should. Double the parts.
OEM vs Aftermarket
If buying new, the choice between OEM and aftermarket calipers will need consideration. Dealers will sell Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) calipers for your car, and you can find them online too. These can cost the most and sometimes can be double the price of an aftermarket caliper.
For quality aftermarket brands, Raybestos, Centric, and Wagner make great calipers that meet or exceed OEM specifications, but will cost less than the OEM dealer price.
Labor Cost
Labor cost for caliper replacement is around $150-$450 per axle. The price will vary depending on your vehicle make and model, as some are more difficult to replace than others.
Most shops charge between 1.5 and 3 hours of labor per axle for brake caliper replacement.
Additional Related Costs
When doing a brake caliper replacement, there are several additional costs you should keep in mind, which typically arise during the job. Because the mechanic/technician will be working in that area of the vehicle, there is often some benefit to replacing these items at the same time when they are related.
- Brake Pads. Most mechanics advise that you install new brake pads along with new calipers. Even if your brake pads still have life left in them, getting a fresh start ensures proper contact and optimal performance. Budget-wise, you can expect to pay $50-150 per axle for good-quality brake pads.
- Brake Rotors. Your mechanic should check the condition of the brake rotors during the caliper replacement. If they are warped or have been worn down below the minimum thickness, they will need to be replaced. New brake rotors run about $50-125 each for most passenger vehicles (plus labor). Even if the rotors have a reasonable amount of material remaining, they can be resurfaced.
- Brake Fluid. The brake system must be bled after replacing the caliper, which is necessary to allow air bubbles to escape. This requires new brake fluid. Brake fluid is relatively inexpensive ($10-20), but bleeding the system involves extra labor.
- Brake Lines and Hardware. In rare cases, the brake lines that are attached to the brake caliper may be rusted and need to be replaced. Brake line replacement will add parts ($20-50) and labor. New mounting hardware and rubber components, such as the dust boots, would also be required and can add $10-30 to the parts cost.
- Brake Hoses. The flexible brake hoses that connect from the hard brake lines to the calipers also will get worn or damaged over time. Many mechanics recommend replacing them when the system is disassembled, especially on older vehicles. New brake hoses cost approximately $20-40 each.
Factors Affecting Cost
Several factors affect the overall cost of your brake caliper replacement. Some factors are under your control; others are not.
Vehicle Makes and Models
Luxury and high-performance vehicles usually have pricier calipers compared to basic passenger vehicles. To illustrate this point, the caliper of a BMW M3 will cost much more than the caliper of a Toyota Corolla.
Also, while many small commuter vehicles only have a single caliper piston, high-performance vehicles can have from 4 to 6 or more caliper pistons. With more complexity comes more costs (generally speaking).
Front vs. Rear Caliper
Front brake caliper will typically cost more than rear calipers because they handle 70% of the braking efficiency of your vehicle.
Front calipers are usually larger and heavier than the rear calipers. They also wear out more quickly because they have to do most of the work. Therefore, front calipers may have to be replaced sooner than the rear calipers.
Location and Labor Rates
Shop labor rates can vary greatly depending on your region and the type of shop you are using. For example, a dealership may charge around $120-180 per hour while an independent shop may charge $70-100 per hour.
Shop rates are generally higher in densely populated areas than in rural or remote areas. In some high-cost living areas, dealership rates can be more than $200 per hour. Because of this, it may make sense to drive out to an independent shop further away from home despite the inconvenience.
Repair Shop Decision
For generally less expensive services, independent shops will charge less. However, because dealerships focus on their own brands of vehicles, their technicians have a more in-depth training (but not always superior) than independent shop technicians.
Dealership technicians generally have more experience specifically with your model, and sometimes, they have specialized tools.
Some independent shops will also refuse to work on luxury and exotic vehicles.
Ways to Save on Brake Calipers
There are several good ways that you can lessen brake caliper replacement cost without sacrificing safety:
Tip #1. Price Compare.
Search online (sites we like) and figure your local parts stores to see what price points are. Don’t forget that remanufactured calipers are typically 30-40% cheaper than new ones and typically have the same warranty.
IMPORTANT: Remember to double check that whoever you are going to do the work is actually going to install customer provided parts; most won’t.
But at the very least, if the repair shop is doing the labor with customer supplied parts, they will often price match and knowing the actual part prices will assist you in knowing that the repair shop isn’t ripping you off & if they are, you can provide worse feedback knowing what you paid for parts.
Tip #2. Get a Quote, or Three.
Don’t just take the first repair quote you get. Get estimates from at least three different shops, including a dealer and independent repair facilities. Again, ensure all quotes include the same services and quality of parts for fair comparison, if that makes sense.
Tip #3. Sign Up For the Dealership’s Email List.
Most dealerships have email newsletters, as well as hard copies, for their loyal clients. You can sometimes find significant savings from the dealership via email, mail, and loyalty programs.
Dealership pricing will often be higher than that of an independent facility, but the special offers could make them less expensive at times.
Dealerships are constantly sending out service coupons for brake work and maintenance service with the discount sometimes being 20% or more off their normal pricing. You may also receive a hard copy mailer with a special deal because you have had service done there before.
Tip #4. Look Out for Specials.
You can find independent or chain repair shops run brake service specials from time to time. Some parts stores will even offer a lifetime warranty on brake components, if you have a long-term plan for your vehicle. Some places will even match their competitors pricing.
Tip #5. Bundle.
If you are having other brake work done – for example brake pad replacement or rotor resurfacing, then you have much less total labor variable, since your wheels are already off and the brake system is apart.
Even if the unrelated work to your brakes, the shop may STILL agree to extend the discount because of the total price/tag amount.
DIY vs Professional Installation
If you are mechanically inclined replacing brake calipers in most cases you may save $150 – $450 in labor costs. That said, replacing brake calipers requires attention to detail, and when it comes to brake work, the ability to follow through safety procedures is fundamental, brakes are a major safety component.
Realistically, replacing brake calipers means you need certain tools and materials to replace them (not an exhaustive list):
- Socket set/wrenches
- Brake fluid catch pan
- Brake bleeder wrench
- Line wrench set
- Torque wrench.
- Jack and Jack stand
- New brake fluid
If you do not have access to these, and you would not normally work on your car, it probably would not make sense financially to purchase them.
For instance, a good floor jack and jack stands will cost around $200. This could be the total labor cost if you let the professionals replace the caliper.
In addition to using basic tools, you have to know:
- How to safely lift and support the vehicle
- How to bleed brake lines
- How to torque bolts to specification
- To test brakes before driving
Important: Do not attempt any brake work unless you are confident in your ability. Mistakes can cause brake failure; failure of brakes puts you and others at risk. If you are not confident about any part of the process, a professional should handle it.
There are two distinct advantages of a shop doing the work if you aren’t confident:
- Parts and labor warranty.
- Professional diagnostic testing.
- Professional diagnostic testing.
- Availability of diagnostic tools.
- Proper disposal of parts and new fluid.
- Pro brake system bleeding.