What To Do With Old Brake Calipers?

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Eventually, old brake calipers may get so worn out and become rather useless for any further use in the vehicle. When that happens, what should you do with them? Do you just throw them away or are there ways or means by which you can dispose of them, or is it possible to reuse them after passing them through some processing?.

In such cases, one has the option of doing a few things with old and retired brake calipers. First, if you can determine whether any such old brake caliper is reusable, you should remove it.

This is because a good number of technicians can push the caliper piston in without really clamping off the brake hose during their removal, although strictly speaking, this is not a good option, especially since it can cause different problems to your brake system, which includes a low brake pedal and a reduced braking efficiency too.

On the other hand, some people find other uses for old and ‘useless’ brake calipers. In this case, there are auto specialists that can be approached with all such calipers for a core charge.

However, in most cases, these auto experts may refuse any core charge for your old brake calipers unless you bought it from them in the first place, and one of such places that refuses old calipers not bought from them is O’Reilly.

When this happens, you can alternatively get the core charged from where you bought them, if you insist on rebuilding them, which many people do not want.

It may not be very beneficial to get a core charge for your old brake calipers because it usually involves more work than changing the calipers entirely, and what is more, the money difference between changing the calipers for new ones and core charging them is not very significant. In most of these cases, people often opt to simply change the calipers for new ones.

Another option is to get an auto shop, like Firestone, to take the old brake calipers in exchange for a certain percentage of their monetary value, which in any case is better than nothing. Alternatively, you can just pop their pistons and maintain them as spares.

You also have the option of getting a junkyard or brake shop to give you a few bucks for your old brake calipers, or you can get a scrap metal firm that will give you value for their weight. There is also the possibility of buying another rebuilding kit and keeping the spares on your shelf for the next time.

Scrap metal can offer the best possible prices for such items as a side business that involves just the collection of scrap metals for their Craiglist ads or other free advertisements on the internet.

For instance, in some cases, you can be offered about 320 dollars cash for one ton of cast iron or something close to 16 cents for every pound of metallic items.

In such scenarios, unless you have a rather big pile of metal stuff to exchange for money, or you live close to a junkyard, there is no justification for the trip just for a few bucks.

Logically speaking, scrapping your old brake calipers may not make much sense, since you would probably have to spend good money for gas just to get to any place that will possibly take your junk for a token.

Again, you can take out any parts from these old calipers that could be of some use and drop any other thing remaining at a parts store so that the store can put them to some use if the idea of turning them in for a core charge does not appeal to you.

Whatever happens, it is not advisable to just throw your old brake calipers away, particularly since, in most instances, they have good and rebuildable cores. Some people are likely to need them if you don’t.

Finally, you can also call a local waste management company to find out whether they have any policy on asbestos waste. Furthermore, you can equally toss these old brake calipers or rotors for recycling.

In some rare cases, these old brake parts can be thrown away, but before you do that, make sure that you drain any brake fluid out of first, just in case.

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Can I donate my old brake calipers?

The issue of whether you can donate your old brake calipers or not is a contentious one at best. To be more specific on the matter, if you can find any scrap yard that may be collecting for the charity of the needy, then, yes, you can donate them if you wish, especially since nothing for charity is too small.

Alternatively, which is more feasible, you can donate your old calipers or rotors to pretty much anybody who may want that with immense gratitude too. So, the question of donating them depends on a lot of things, but you can do it if you want. (Read Also: Power Stop Brakes Z23 Vs Z36?)

Can I reuse old brake calipers?

Yes, it is quite possible to reuse old brake calipers depending on how worn out or used up they may be. If you find out after some time that your old and long discarded brake calipers are better than the ones you are using presently, then, why not, you can simply go ahead and reuse them.

In the alternative, you can also core charge these old brake calipers to make them useful once again, if you do not mind rebuilding them. This is because many people prefer not to do that, but you could be different, couldn’t you?

Can old brake calipers be thrown away?

Of course, old brake calipers can be thrown away. Why not? However, this is not recommended in the least, but where you insist on going that way, you should still not discard them without taking certain protective measures. The article will explain this advice in a bit, just read along.

For instance, why should you just discard something that could be of some value, one way or another? To be more specific, what a junkyard could give you for your old brake calipers may not be much, but it is still better than nothing, right? That’s right, anything is better than nothing.

Can I sell my old brake calipers?

Yes, you can sell off your old brake calipers or rotors to a junkyard. However, what you get from these yards depends on a lot of factors.

One, the amount they may be willing to hand out is likely going to be determined by the condition of the scrap items. In other words, the more useful they can be, the more money you will likely get for them.

Second, what you may eventually get will depend on the junkyard itself, since some may pay more than others. In a nutshell, you can sell off your old brake calipers or rotors, and many places do that as a side business. A little inquiry will get you there. (Read Also:Can Brake Drums Warp?)

How do I dispose of old brake calipers?

There are multiple ways through which you can dispose of your old brake calipers. One, you can simply throw them away, although this may not be a good idea since they can be of some worth.

Two, you can donate them to a charity outfit or to anybody you may choose. Third, you can take out of them any part you may have some use for, and give what is not needed to whoever may want it, in the hope that they will get some use for whatever is left.

Four, you can hock them for a token to a junkyard that specializes in this as a means of making a living, and they are everywhere. So, you see, there are countless ways you can effectively use in disposing of your old brake parts.(Read Also: Can Warped Rotors Cause Vibration At High Speeds?)

Whatever you may decide, do not discard your brake calipers before discharging any brake fluid left in them. This is just so that the corrosive irritant would not be touched by someone else.

Finally, the choice of which way to go is yours to make. So, go ahead and have at it, right?

Frequently asked questions(FAQs)

Does O’Reilly take old rotors?

Yes, O’Reilly takes old brake components such as rotors, brake pads, radiators, and so on. In addition, the company also replaces less fuel-efficient and higher carbon dioxide(CO2) emitting delivery vehicles with better and more efficient substitute models, depending on the terms on which you agree.

Therefore, yes, O’Reilly turns old brake rotors. Should you want their services, you can contact any of their agents close to you, although the company is not found in many places.

Does NAPA turn brake rotors?

Yes, NAPA turns brake rotors, although this depends on your local NAPA Auto Parts Store or even the NAPA Auto Care. They have machines that could be effective in brake rotor and flywheel turning.

It is a problem that can occur to anyone, but it is not recommended for you to postpone a brake job for any length of time, which in extreme cases can lead to more costly complaints or issues out of sheer negligence.