Can You Get Money From Old Brake Calipers?

This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

Yes, you can get money from the sale of your old brake calipers through a scrapyard. As a result of this, you should check any junkyard closest to you so that you can find out how much they pay for each. Doing this is a lot better than just throwing them in the garbage can.

At other times, old brake calipers can also get their cores taken so that they can be reintroduced into the remaining chain even if you don’t pay any core charges.

You should however be aware that some companies like O’Reilly will not give you any core charge for the old calipers unless you bought it from them in the first place. In addition, some automotive part stores can take them off you for a token based on their scrap value.

It is also possible to raise some cash from your old brake calipers on eBay, or better still, you can rebuild these old calipers and sell them as well.

Most importantly, before any vehicle is permanently crushed, it is common practice to remove all the rebuildable parts and sell them off into the manufacturing chain.

However, if your part number does not have any core charge, it simply means that there is a ready supply of that particular core when it is in good condition.

There is also the chance of brake calipers made of the cast being iron being replaced with aluminum calipers, and the auto parts shop may give you a credit for the cores towards getting a new caliper.

Although the prices of old brake calipers may vary from one junkyard to another, the general idea is that you can sell them off for between 9.99 to 14.99 dollars. 

Of all these ways through which you can raise some money from the sale of old brake calipers, scrap metal outfits pay the best for them than all the others.

Selling off old brake calipers is a good side business collecting scrap metal from either Craiglist ads or even from other free internet advertisements.

In a nutshell, you can get good money from the sale of your old brake calipers, although that depends on what each scrap metal yard pays for each piece.

Table Of Contents

Is it possible to sell old brake calipers?

Yes, you can sell old brake calipers to either a scrap metal yard or junk outfit. Several outfits are ready to buy them off you for a token, such as eBay if there is a market, which they can recycle as scrap metal.

There is also the option of popping out their pistons and removing the seals before you clean them up thoroughly. After doing all these, you can then put them completely on your desk to hold paper clips, business cards, and other similar items as well.

Additionally, old brake calipers can be useful as a paperweight too. Through these uses, you are essentially saving money which you would have otherwise used in buying factory-made paper clips or weight.

So, yes, it is very possible to sell old brake calipers, but before doing that, find out how much is being paid for each by different scrap metal dealers so that you can get something as reasonable as possible from the sales.

Can I reuse old brake calipers?

Yes, it is quite possible to both reuse and rebuild old brake calipers, particularly if they are only sticking. Sticking calipers are easy to identify since they are bound to cause uneven wear to your brake pads. Furthermore, if you rebuild them, ensure that you rebuild both sides and not just one side.

Some people usually remove the seals and boots from their old calipers and install them in new ones as long as the removed parts are in good condition.

This is particularly useful if you execute their removal gently and with enough lube and without any distortion too. (Read Also: 6 Best Brake Pads For Jeep Cherokee In 2022)

Again, you can take the old caliper apart and get its piston and seals replaced. This will enable you to reuse all the other parts too.

Therefore, yes, you can reuse an old brake caliper. Finally, after rebuilding your brake caliper and before you start to reuse it, you should bleed them again.

What can I do with my old brake caliper?

Several options are available concerning what to do with old brake calipers. One, you can simply thrash them in the bin and be done with them permanently.

On the contrary, it is not advisable to do that since, one way or another, they can be put to some use. Two, you can also give them out for free to a scrap metal outfit knowing fully well that they may find some use to which these old calipers can be put.

Three, old brake calipers can also be rebuilt and used later on with satisfactory performance in the braking system. Finally and most importantly too, you can sell your old brake calipers to any nearby junkyard for which you will at least be given a token.

Essentially, therefore, whatever you use the old brake calipers for in the end should be beneficial to you or others rather than just throwing them away for nothing.

Can I give out my old brake calipers?

Yes, if that suits you, you can simply give out your old brake calipers to a scrap metal outfit, for which they will be immensely grateful. (Read Also:Are Rotor Retaining Screw Necessary?)

These companies can rebuild the old calipers and by that make them useful in the braking system once more. Alternatively, they can remove some valuable components in the caliper and use what is left in recycling metals.

So, yes, you can give out your old brake calipers, which can be put to more use either in the braking system again or as part of metals billed for the recycling industries for the production of other objects.

Trending Searches

Should I throw an old brake caliper in the thrash?

Ideally, nothing stops you from throwing an old brake caliper into the thrash. Having said that, this decision is flawed for many cogent reasons.

One, you can sell them off to a junkyard which can find a very good use for them by either rebuilding or reusing them. Alternatively, you can also give them for free to any scrap metal outfit or firm such that they can be recycled beneficially in the production of other important objects.

Therefore, if you have all these other ways through which you can dispose of your old brake calipers, why should you just throw them into the trash bin, which is a colossal loss in the first place?

Frequently asked questions(FAQ)

Are brake calipers ferrous?

Brake calipers are mostly made from hardened iron, steel, or a mixture of both metals. To be more specific, disc brake calipers were previously made from very ductile and malleable iron metal.

However, these days, brake calipers are manufactured using mainly aluminum, which can save weight by about 40 percent, and that’s a big advantage. Steel is also used in producing many brake calipers in modern vehicles.(Read Also:Are Brake Calipers Covered Under Warranty?)

Also, it is common to produce brake caliper pistons from plastic (or phenolic), steel, or aluminum too. Specifically, aluminum has some edge in this regard because it is light while steel is very strong.

Although aluminum is known to be a better conductor of heat to the brake fluid it can cause the brake to fade. Unfortunately, both these metals( steel and iron) can suffer from corrosion in the presence of water.

Finally, since disc brake calipers are mainly produced using cast iron or aluminum body, attachment bracket, brake pads, and other friction materials, it is clear that they are ferrous, although not so much as brake rotors. So, yes, brake calipers are indeed ferrous too, just like rotors.

What are brake calipers made of?

Brake calipers were initially made chiefly from very ductile iron metal. However, presently, they are being gradually changed to aluminum, which can save weight by up to about 40 percent.

On the other hand, aluminum is a much better conductor of heat than either iron or steel. Therefore, the aluminum brake caliper will conduct more heat to the brake fluid, which can ultimately cause it to fade and suffer degradation prematurely. In conclusion, brake calipers are made from iron, steel, or aluminum metals.

Can You Get Money From Old Brake Calipers – Conclusion

Brake calipers are part of the braking system of a vehicle that houses the brake pads. It is also known that with time, brake calipers may not function as effectively in stopping the vehicle due to either age or any other natural malfunction of the unit.

In such situations, the most acceptable or logical option is to replace the calipers with new ones. However, what should you use the old calipers for?

There are many options open in these situations. What matters are the benefits or uses that accrue as a result of what you do with them either to you or someone else. Again, you can also rebuild your old brake calipers and use them efficiently in the vehicle once again with satisfactory performance.

Leave a Reply