Brake Caliper Seized

[nondem]

I was wheeling last weekend one last time before installing some upgrades to my 03' Sahara and the passenger side brake started seizing.
It was able to get it home w/o major drama and am ready to go ahead and fix that while I've got everything apart to install my new lunchbox locker.
When I looked up new calipers I found both bracketed and non-bracketed types that fit my particular Jeep. The bracketed ones costing about twice as much(or more depending on the vendor)
I just want to confirm that the non-bracketed type is the same caliper but without the bracket? If my brackets are intact it wouldn't seem like I need to replace them too would it? Maybe lube the existing ones up?

2003 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sahara 4.0/Auto.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

I was wheeling last weekend one last time before installing some upgrades to my 03' Sahara and the passenger side brake started seizing.
It was able to get it home w/o major drama and am ready to go ahead and fix that while I've got everything apart to install my new lunchbox locker.
When I looked up new calipers I found both bracketed and non-bracketed types that fit my particular Jeep. The bracketed ones costing about twice as much(or more depending on the vendor)
I just want to confirm that the non-bracketed type is the same caliper but without the bracket? If my brackets are intact it wouldn't seem like I need to replace them too would it? Maybe lube the existing ones up?

2003 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sahara 4.0/Auto.

Not sure what bracketed and non-bracketed is for a Wrangler. Are you sure your looking up a 2003 Jeep Wrangler and not a Grand Cherokee? Go on Rockauto.com. You should be able to find what you want and see pictures as well. I would personally purchase new over remanufactured these days.

 

[SvtLdr]

I was wheeling last weekend one last time before installing some upgrades to my 03' Sahara and the passenger side brake started seizing.
It was able to get it home w/o major drama and am ready to go ahead and fix that while I've got everything apart to install my new lunchbox locker.
When I looked up new calipers I found both bracketed and non-bracketed types that fit my particular Jeep. The bracketed ones costing about twice as much(or more depending on the vendor)
I just want to confirm that the non-bracketed type is the same caliper but without the bracket? If my brackets are intact it wouldn't seem like I need to replace them too would it? Maybe lube the existing ones up?

2003 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sahara 4.0/Auto.

You should be fine with the Un-bracketed caliper. Some vehicles have caliper designs with an additional bracket that bolts into the knuckle. Our TJ calipers are attach directly to the steering knuckle without the additional bracket.

 

[SvtLdr]

Not sure what bracketed and non-bracketed is for a Wrangler. Are you sure your looking up a 2003 Jeep Wrangler and not a Grand Cherokee? Go on Rockauto.com. You should be able to find what you want and see pictures as well. I would personally purchase new over remanufactured these days.

Good advice here. Go to Rock Auto.com. Even if you don't end up buying from them they're a great resource for learning and shopping.

 

[mrblaine]

I was wheeling last weekend one last time before installing some upgrades to my 03' Sahara and the passenger side brake started seizing.
It was able to get it home w/o major drama and am ready to go ahead and fix that while I've got everything apart to install my new lunchbox locker.
When I looked up new calipers I found both bracketed and non-bracketed types that fit my particular Jeep. The bracketed ones costing about twice as much(or more depending on the vendor)
I just want to confirm that the non-bracketed type is the same caliper but without the bracket? If my brackets are intact it wouldn't seem like I need to replace them too would it? Maybe lube the existing ones up?

2003 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sahara 4.0/Auto.

There are no bracketed calipers that came stock on the TJ.

 

[mrblaine]

You should be fine with the Un-bracketed caliper. Some vehicles have caliper designs with an additional bracket that bolts into the knuckle. Our TJ calipers are attach directly to the steering knuckle without the additional bracket.

Knuckle or in the case of rear discs, directly to the backing plate without a saddle or bracket.

 

[SvtLdr]

Knuckle or in the case of rear discs, directly to the backing plate without a saddle or bracket.

Touche'.
I was going on the assumption that the OP was having trouble with a front caliper. IIRC, rear discs were not available until the 2004 model year?

 

[mrblaine]

Touche'.
I was going on the assumption that the OP was having trouble with a front caliper. IIRC, rear discs were not available until the 2004 model year?

Rear discs were available 03-06. Standard on all Rubi models, optional on the rest.

 

[Irun]

If you look in Rock Auto, you should see "remanufactured" or "new", with both having "uncoated" or "coated" versions available. FWIW, the last front and rear caliper replacements I did were "new". The quality difference was noticeable.

 

[nondem]

Thanks for the replies. This is very helpful. It is the front...I forgot that some TJ's did come w/rear discs but this one has drum rears.

I'll be browsing RockAuto

 

[Kid Mechanic]

I'll be browsing RockAuto

You had mentioned doing upgrades. The best upgrade would be brakes. Just call The Dude at Black Magic Brakes and spend some of your hard earned dollars. You’ll get the best product and stopping power for not too much more than piecing together some stuff that you’ll wind up replacing again. You might not need the biggest brakes they have, but you’ll get what is appropriate.