I'm trying to figure out if my old auto shop cheated me, or if it's just ignorance on my part.
When my brakes went up in a puff of smoke, they "replaced both front calipers". However, when I look at the caliper through the wheel, I see a large piece that the Sears mechanic confirms is not new. I'm unsure if it's my original or remanufactured or what. He said they replaced "parts of the caliper". Mentioned that they did it correctly; it was the drum they screwed up.
I'm not quite sure what's what here. I was charged $125.65 each for the calipers. In 'researching' at JCWhitney, the caliper picture shows a large metal piece that looks roughly like the rusted metal whatever I can see through the wheel. A new one cost $105.00 (other sites it's much less). Remanufactured costs way, way less.
If they've cheated me, I want to have my ducks in a row before I confront them about it. I'll also get a second opinion from a brakes specialist shop, once I can find one.
I'm really unhappy with this shop. They apparently utterly missed that my wheel bearings and tie bars needed replaced (proven by the improved performance after wheel bearing replacement, but continued symptoms that can be traced to the tie bars). I had them look at the brakes at least twice before they seized and left me stranded, and now those repairs were screwed up too. I've been going to this shop for years, never had problems before.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any education you can provide on front brake calipers for the 2001 Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4.
jmc