After I changed my rear pads, it seems like my MPG has gone down and there is more drag after I take my foot off the gas pedal. I looked at the rear rotor and half the area of the stopping surface is still rusty (only half the pad is making contact with the rotor). I'm guessing the caliper is sticking and applying pressure unevenly. Does this seem like it is the problem.

Has anyone rebuilt the rear calipers? I looked at buying a kit and going for it, but I dont see any posts in the stickies about rebuilding the rear calipers. Thanks in advance!

 

First replace your rotors.
I had the same problem, but I thought it's the caliper so I bought one and went to mechanic to install it, but he said the rusted rotors are the problem and not the caliper. So I changed the rear pads and rotors and everything is fine now. I had some drag for a week but it's normal with the new pads.

It's better to go to mechanic to change rotors; he has tools to sand and polish the area behind the rotor.

 

I think I got it figured out...but ill have to wait till tomorrow to test. I went to advance to get a new caliper but when i looked at it in the store, it seemed like my piston went as far back as the new one. When i replaced the pads, i reused the old shims...but i guess the new pads dont require shims (i just used Bendix OEM pads from avance), or the rears dont usually require shims anyways...so ill take the shims out tomorrow and see if that gives more clearance for the rotor.

 

Just because the piston went back in to the caliper doesnt mean its not sticking. That could be your problem.

 

If you do rebuild them please post the results and everything. my driver's side rear caliper is frozen. it's on my list of things to do but i haven't made up my mind if i am going to rebuild it or just get a reman one.

 

AFAIK, the rears do have shims, but the Advances local to me didn't have any in stock. I had planned to reuse the old ones as well. But I couldnt' even get the caliper assy off the rotor. I think the slide pins to the torque plate are frozen in my case.

 

I wouldnt suggest rebuilding it. Its going to be complicated and time consuming and most likely wont last that long after the rebuild. Just buy some reman's that were done by someone who is trained to reman them.