Are you thinking of purchasing used car parts to save a few dollars on your next vehicle repair or upgrade? Taking this approach is a great way to stick to a budget, but you might not think that used parts are appropriate for every job. While you shouldn't purchase used consumables such as brake pads or clutch discs, there are plenty of other places that used parts can be cost-effective and safe.
Surprisingly, your brake system is a great candidate for buying used. If you need to perform repairs on your braking system, these three parts can help you stay under budget without sacrificing safety or reliability.
1. Brake Calipers
Brake calipers are surprisingly simple devices that typically last the vehicle's lifetime, or at least much longer than consumable items such as discs and pads. The brake caliper is a simple cast iron housing for either one or two pistons on most cars. Caliper failures usually occur due to improper maintenance or physical damage affecting the seals near the pistons.
Since failures are rare, you can usually find used calipers in reasonably good condition. While many manufacturers produce caliper repair and refurbishment kits, a used part may be a cheaper and easier alternative. The simplicity of most caliper designs means that you can also quickly inspect a used part to determine its overall condition.
2. Wheel Speed Sensors
You might be surprised that your wheel speed sensor is an essential part of your car's braking system. Your speedometer relies on your wheel speed sensors to provide you with accurate information, but this is far from their only role. For example, your anti-lock braking system also uses their data to determine if one or more of your wheels are experiencing brake lock.
These sensors can be pricy, and a failure can disable your ABS and leave your vehicle drastically less safe in emergencies. Since these items rarely wear out at a specific mileage or age, they're a good candidate for a used replacement. If you're getting your used parts from a pick-and-pull yard, you can use a multimeter to confirm that your new (to you) sensor is in good shape.
3. Master Cylinder
When you push down on your brake pedal, you don't directly actuate your brake calipers. Instead, the master cylinder acts as a manual pump that converts your pedal motion into hydraulic pressure. Master cylinders are durable and long-lasting parts, which makes failures rare. As a result, this is another item that's safe to buy used, and the high cost of a new master cylinder can make this an excellent option.
You might not think of your braking system as a good candidate for used parts, but many braking components don't typically fail with age or mileage. By buying these parts used, you'll save money without compromising the safety of your car's brakes.