Rusty Calipers - issue or just cosmetics

[xycrazy]

Saw this used Escalade and was wondering what happened to the brakes. Never seen such rusty calipers on an Escalade.
Is this something that should concern me? I wonder if I can get rid of the dust as it doesn’t look good. Any ideas?

Rest of the car looks actually pretty nice and well maintained and so I’m interested in buying but that concerns me a little. What do you think? Thanks

 

[tom3]

Is this a machine from Michigan? I'd look pretty close underneath the Esky for rust on and inside the frame, front suspension pieces, rear cross members, etc. Rusty looking calipers is not too common on newer GM machines with the silver looking coatings.

 

[CMoore711]

Yeah that seems excessive. How many miles on the vehicle? Maybe they ran some pads down to metal on metal and it made its way onto the calipers?

That being said if this is a used vehicle you’re interested in purchasing and all checks out except for calipers I’d try negotiating some new ones into the deal maybe? Not sure on exact model year and mileage or if the price is right but maybe don’t expect totally free parts and labor. But ask for it. Then maybe you land on something like if you pay for the parts of the new calipers see if they’ll do the labor for free?

 

[xycrazy]

It hs 41K miles on it. Was driven in Indiana. I think I can’t negotiate it but will try. How much are new calipers usually?

I was looking underneath from the front and haven’t seen anything but I need to take a closer look for sure.

 

[OR VietVet]

Surface rust on the calipers. No big deal. Rust on the rotor surface, not happy about that.

 

[xycrazy]

Surface rust on the calipers. No big deal. Rust on the rotor surface, not happy about that.

Shouldn’t the rust on the rotor not go away when driving and braking?

 

[Ebaile5]

Saw this used Escalade and was wondering what happened to the brakes. Never seen such rusty calipers on an Escalade.
Is this something that should concern me? I wonder if I can get rid of the dust as it doesn’t look good. Any ideas?

Rest of the car looks actually pretty nice and well maintained and so I’m interested in buying but that concerns me a little. What do you think? Thanks

Looks like it hasn’t been driven much after the rotors got wet. If the calipers have been replaced the aftermarket ones will rust pretty quick like that even if they say they have a coating. Happened to me on my rear calipers I just replaced and I knew better so now I have to sand them down and paint them like I knew I should have before I installed them.

 

[OR VietVet]

Shouldn’t the rust on the rotor not go away when driving and braking?

Yes, but then you get the rust imbedded in the pads. They will get noisy but should eventually quiet down. Hopefully.

 

[GMCnewbee]

Like everyone is saying, take a close look underneath. They may have made a trip to Daytona Beach in not gotten it washed off as well as they should have.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Calipers shouldn't rust like that. Most likely there was contact with salt water. I would check the frame and underbody. Most likely there is horror going on there.

 

[OR VietVet]

Calipers shouldn't rust like that. Most likely there was contact with salt water. I would check the frame and underbody. Most likely there is horror going on there.

The vehicle may also have spent life at the coast. I am in Oregon and when I was in shops, we used to see rust buildup on metal surfaces from the salt in the air at the coast.

 

[Vladimir2306]

The vehicle may also have spent life at the coast. I am in Oregon and when I was in shops, we used to see rust buildup on metal surfaces from the salt in the air at the coast.

This is about the same)))) but we also have cities on the coast. This doesn’t happen with calipers from the air itself)

 

[OR VietVet]

This is about the same)))) but we also have cities on the coast. This doesn’t happen with calipers from the air itself)

Agreed but I am talking about surface rust and it takes some time to even see it.

I will refer to my original statement. The "surface" rust on the caliper does not bother me. The pics do not show or indicate anything worse than that. The rotor surface rust can happen over a couple days in humid weather.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Agreed but I am talking about surface rust and it takes some time to even see it.

I will refer to my original statement. The "surface" rust on the caliper does not bother me. The pics do not show or indicate anything worse than that. The rotor surface rust can happen over a couple days in humid weather.

Rust on the surface of the rotor is normal, it will simply eat up the pads first and then disappear. But on the surface of the caliper it is strange.
Look, the condition of my caliper is 50K miles. Two winters in Russia with reagents and a lot of salt and sand on the roads)))

 

[xycrazy]

Yeah I think the amount of rust on the surface is weird but I will check the car underneath to see what's going on. I checked Carfax and the car has been in the shop aside from maintenance a few times where it says:

• Wind noise checked
• Body water leak checked
• Body electrical system checked

Wind noise checked and Body water leak checked was done after 3,700 miles already. I don't know if this is normal.
Below is the full Carfax History. What do you guys think? Does anything pop out and smell fishy?
Car was driven in the midwest (Indiana) and has had no accidents according to CarFax. Single Owner. Got sold via auction.

3,700 (1/22/21)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked
4,177 (2/8/21)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Interior trim checked Drivetrain checked
7,036 (6/18/21)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Exterior trim checked Oil and filter changed Tires rotated
15,875 (02/17/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Tires rotated Wind noise checked Body water leak checked Vehicle washed/detailed Body electrical system checked
16,204 (3/21/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked
18,287 (5/10/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed
23,548 (10/13/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked
26,608 (12/14/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wiper(s) replaced
29,908 (3/17/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Air filter replaced Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
33,565 (7/10/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked Oil and filter changed Two tires mounted Two tires balanced Four wheel alignment performed Alignment performed
34,743 (8/3/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed
37,082 (11/08/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Body electrical system checked

 

[Vladimir2306]

Yeah I think the amount of rust on the surface is weird but I will check the car underneath to see what's going on. I checked Carfax and the car has been in the shop aside from maintenance a few times where it says:

• Wind noise checked
• Body water leak checked
• Body electrical system checked

Wind noise checked and Body water leak checked was done after 3,700 miles already. I don't know if this is normal.
Below is the full Carfax History. What do you guys think? Does anything pop out and smell fishy?
Car was driven in the midwest (Indiana) and has had no accidents according to CarFax. Single Owner. Got sold via auction.

3,700 (1/22/21)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked
4,177 (2/8/21)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Interior trim checked Drivetrain checked
7,036 (6/18/21)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Exterior trim checked Oil and filter changed Tires rotated
15,875 (02/17/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Tires rotated Wind noise checked Body water leak checked Vehicle washed/detailed Body electrical system checked
16,204 (3/21/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked
18,287 (5/10/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed
23,548 (10/13/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked
26,608 (12/14/22)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wiper(s) replaced
29,908 (3/17/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Air filter replaced Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
33,565 (7/10/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Wind noise checked Body water leak checked Oil and filter changed Two tires mounted Two tires balanced Four wheel alignment performed Alignment performed
34,743 (8/3/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed
37,082 (11/08/23)			Vehicle serviced Maintenance inspection completed Oil and filter changed Body electrical system checked

Is it leaky or something?) Why check wind noise and water leakage every now and then?

 

[xycrazy]

Is it leaky or something?) Why check wind noise and water leakage every now and then?

Yes, that's what I wonder too. Perhaps because of this known issue:

Active Grille Shutters Front-End Noise

Some 2021-2023 Escalade, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra and Yukon models may be producing a thump, clunk, pop or click noise at the front end of the vehicle.
The sound also may be felt in the brake pedal or on the floor in the front of the cabin. The condition typically occurs after the vehicle has been driven at least 45 mph (72 km/h) and then comes to a stop, or after the brake pedal is released after a stop.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I agree with @OR VietVet in that surface rust on the caliper should not be an issue. I would not let that stop me from purchasing the truck, IF everything else looks good to you. Worst case, you end up replacing the calipers subsequent to the purchase, and we are not talking about expensive parts here.

 

[xycrazy]

I agree with @OR VietVet in that surface rust on the caliper should not be an issue. I would not let that stop me from purchasing the truck, IF everything else looks good to you. Worst case, you end up replacing the calipers subsequent to the purchase, and we are not talking about expensive parts here.

OK, makes sense. What do you think about the carfax report posted above?

 

[OR VietVet]

Wind noise could be almost anything and you would need to road test to see if you hear anything. The body water leak check is more concerning. Too bad there is no results of inspections posted.