Dealer recommending new calipers

Question

I have a '12 VW Passat (66k miles) and recently the rear brakes have been squealing when backing out of parking in morning and sometimes when rolling to a stop. I first thought it was just rust build up but the sound is a high pitch squeal. Also, after 5-6 mile drive to work, the rear wheels sometimes get really hot, so hot that I cannot keep my finger on alloy wheel for 10+ seconds. It does not always happen and has happened on both of the rear wheels but always one at a time.

In one such instance of heating up, I jacked up the car and tried to spin the wheel that became hot with hand, and I could spin it with 1 finger. But when I do that, I can hear a rubbing noise once every revolution.

So I took it to the dealer and they are saying that both of the rear calipers are sticking to replace them is the only option ($$$).

Are they ripping me off here?

I bought the car as a lease return in 2015 (35k miles) and have not done any brake work on it since then. The car has been in Midwest (MI/IN/KY) all its life and since I bought it, it has always been parked outside and used for <1 mile commute to work. But I do wash it every 1 or 2 weeks in winter months. Also, I am not an aggressive driver, and generally coast down to stop lights/signs.

Answer 1

My 2012 Golf developed a sticky rear caliper over the winter so it isn't uncommon to find at this age of vehicle. In my case, I removed the caliper from the vehicle, stripped the piston out of the caliper on the bench, cleaned it up, fitting a replacement seal kit and refitted it to the car. This worked perfectly and the cost of the rebuild kit plus new brake fluid was negligible.

You may find that the handbrake mechanism causes issues. One tip which works on some VWs if to remove the caliper and operate the handbrake ten times. Then wind the caliper back to it's start position and repeat the process a few times. You may struggle to do this on a car equipped with an electronic handbrake however.

Given that any brake caliper can usually be rebuilt I'd be very surprised if complete replacement of both rear calipers is required.