[jarsh]

So I have a 2000 XE CC, when I got it the front driver-side brake caliper was leaking from the rubber around the piston, I had it replaced and it's been fine since. This evening I attempted to replace the brake pads on the truck, starting with the passenger side. No issues until I went to compress the caliper pistons back so that I could get it over the new pads. When I did, brake fluid began leaking out from the same place.

Is this just due to age?
Did I do something wrong?
Is it fixable without replacing the entire caliper?

I've never had this problem with any other vehicles I've owned. I couldn't find any threads in the search related to the 2000. Any info would be awesome.

 

[jarsh]

After doing some more reading I think I know what caused the leak. After having the other caliper replaced, they probably topped off the brake fluid. When I compressed the caliper piston the fluid probably had nowhere else to go. I guess my real question is whether or not I need to repair it at all, will the o-rings re-seat themselves or are they completely ruined, same for the boots?

 

[Frontier4x]

I assume yull need a new caliper. Did u remove the brake fluid resivior cap first?

 

[Cusser]

You should remove some brake fluid from the reservoir before attempting to spread the brake pads - which pushes the fluid backwards - if there's some place for it to go.

 

[bobus8]

Jarsh. If a caliper is leaking on one side, you can be sure that the one on the other side is also near failure. You should always repair or replace components for brakes in pairs. (Both sides)

 

[jarsh]

Thanks for your help everyone. I've purchased a new caliper and will attempt to replace it myself. Shouldn't be too bad since the calipers have a bleed screw. Does the first gen lounge have a write-up for this yet? I'll take pictures and stuff if there isn't one.

 

[chrisexv6]

When compressing the caliper piston(s), make sure either the master cylinder cap is off or the bleeder screw is open...otherwise the fluid in the caliper will have no place to go except maybe where it shouldn't (i.e. out the seals, etc)

But I echo the previous comments....if one caliper is done, the other isn't far behind. Im on my 3rd set of calipers for my 01 with 75K miles. The biggest issue seems to be the bottom slider pins freezing up with in turn causes caliper issues if you let it go too long. So keep those pins lubed up, once maybe even twice a year. And it seems to be a lot of Nissan products, not just the Frontier. My 01 i30 needed new rear calipers at 60K miles.

 

[jarsh]

That's great info about the pins, not something I would have thought about. Would WD40 work for those or would I need something more "greasy"?

I don't recall whether I cracked open the reservoir cap or not, I'm guessing not. I also probably should have known that the caliper was close to failure as well but I was trying to knock it out as quickly as I could. My fault for not having patience.

 

[smj999smj]

Silicone grease is best for the slide pins. WD40 is too thin and won't last. FYI, caliper rebuild kits can be purchased instead of purchasing new calipers, so long as the piston is not corroded and the piston bore inside the caliper is also in good shape and one feels competent enough to rebuild it. When compressing the piston, usually the fluid will push past the master cylinder cap seal long before it'll push past the caliper piston seal. I use a vacuum brake pump kit to suck the fluid out of the reservoir before compressing the piston, but a turkey baster will also work; just don't use it for food afterwards!