Calipers must be replaced in pairs?

This is not Tacoma related as my Limited is doing just fine, but thought some of you folks could shed some light on a caliper issue for me. My son's Ford Focus had a bad front caliper and the Ford dealer closest to him told him that calipers "must be replaced in pairs on the same axel". Is this accurate? I can see rotors and pads, but calipers in pairs?
Appreciate your thoughts.

 

I don't believe that is correct.

Although, you should seek a 2nd shop's repair quote.

 

Don’t think so either but because brakes are such an integral safety feature they might have a corporate policy to do it that way. Think if they just did one and then the other one went out, accident ensued, someone died... the dealer/ Ford is basically left with a very expensive lawsuit on their hands. if it were me doing the work I’d just do both of them. Usually if one goes another isn’t far behind. Then you have to do the bleeding process all over again. My .02

 

MOney grab...go someplace else. Ask him to show you the Ford service bulletin that requires that.

 

What was bad about the caliper? If the piston was seized the second is probably not far behind. I would agree with @maxtherat from a business stand point. If I were doing the job on my own I would rebuild both as well.

 

Not true. One can go bad and the other be perfectly fine. Had it happen many a time.

 

@stevesnj, well of course... To each their own. Rebuilding one side is just not how I work. Have rebuilt calipers on numerous vehicles, some with four piston calipers (think Kelsey- Hayes) and I'm going to do the job once and know sticky pistons is no longer an issue. As I said, " to each their own "...

 

Very true but when it comes to dealing with brake fluid and all that crap it just makes sense to rebuild/ replace both. I get it that folks have financial limitations but rebuilding is a cost effective option. If I ever have a bulb go out I just replace them both- just makes sense to me but may not make sense to others.

 

Well the OP says they told him to 'replace' both. Rebuild is a cost effective option.

 

This is not a "must", but it's also not the worst idea. The idea is that if one caliper goes bad, the other, assuming it's the same age, may well not be far behind it. My suggestion would be to buy new calipers and pads and do this yourself. That way you will get two brand-new calipers for less than the price of having one done at the dealership. It's a very easy job, requiring only basic hand tools.

 

They absolutely don't need to be done in pairs. There is nothing to be gained in efficiencies of cost as they are completely separate jobs. That said if you don't have the knowledge to pull the other one and inspect it, you might as well do both. Best would be to take this as an opportunity to learn how to do it yourself. Not difficult. Won't be the last time. Easy way to save many thousands of $$ throughout your life.

 

Having the job done at the dealership the cost of "new calipers" is not really cost effective to the customer. However, with new calipers the dealership makes money on the parts and the mechanic most likely can make some money if he can beat the "flat rate" book time for the job.

I don't buy rebuilt calipers from the local parts store. I've seen some pretty worn (slider area) calipers handed out as rebuilt. If there is no physical damage to my calipers cleaning them up and replacing rubber parts and perhaps pistons is the way to go in my mind.

But I'm old...

 

Interesting series of replies and I appreciate each of them. Replacing them myself was not an option for me as it once would have been as I now live in an area without a suitable shop area and my son needed his car in a timely manor. The second Ford dealership I finally had the one caliper replaced at told me that is wasn't required as only one was leaking, (from a seal I assume). The disparity from dealership to dealership is amazing. Thanks to all!

 

Glad you did this. Some dealer service centers just are there for the bottom line. Glad you didn't fall for this.