Calipers, steel piston VS. Phenolic

[jaywish]

Hi,

My 2012 came with phenolic pistons. I am going to change the calipers.

I could buy steel piston calipers as there is a particular brake pad material I like from Centric called extended wear. It is only available for the steel piston units.

Are there any physical compatibility issues in changing over?

Why plastic vs steel anyway?

Thanks,
Jay

[bangster]

I think that the phenolic/plastic pistons are supposed to be less likely to heat up and boil away the brake fluid. I had a Grand Marquis, and the CVPI version of the same car had the plastic pistons, and it was hit or miss if some non police cars had steel or plastic, sometimes from the factory you could find both on the same car. I was going to get some from the junk yard, but it wasn't worth the effort, and I found a few that had broken plastic pistons (to be fair, I also found steel ones that rusted into the bore, had chunks missing).

I think for normal usage, either one is fine, and no pluses or minuses other than as you state not all brake pads come for either/or style retainer clip.

[jaywish]

Thanks for the information. It seems to be the way of it.

Jay

[F1CHRIS]

Hello -

This might be a dumb question, but I need to buy front brake pads for my 2012. I just discovered that there are these 2 types - Steel & Phenolic pistons. Is there an easy way to tell which one I have before I take it apart ? Trying to get prepared to put new front brakes on it...
Thanks !

[jaywish]

All can say is this. I had a 2008 v6 awd Limited and a 2012 V6 awd Limited. Both were plastic pistons.

[F1CHRIS]

I think that I am just going to play it safe and buy both, to avoid wasting time...Then, take back the one that I don't need...Thanks !