Brake Caliper Installation

Most do-it-yourself types can change the brake calipers on their vehicle pretty easily. For brake caliper installation, you will need some special tools and a basic knowledge of how the brake system works. Read on for step-by-step instructions on replacing your brake calipers. Keep in mind that these instructions are very general, however, and it is likely that the process for installing brake calipers on your particular car will have some small differences.

Directions

1

Prepare the Car

You will want to first park the car on a flat surface. Look for a hard surface such as concrete. This is a good surface to use as asphalt can get hot and give away to the jacks and jack stands. Stick with a concrete driveway and try to stay in the shade if it is hot.

2

Check Out the Car

You will now need to determine which side of the car you want to start with. These directions will assume that you are starting on the passenger’s side of the car. Check the parking brake and make sure that it is not engaged. Then, you want to place some blocks behind the back tires and in front of the front tires to prevent the car from moving while you are working on it.

3

Raise the Car

Before you raise the car, you will want to loosen the lug nuts. Be careful to only loosen them one full turn and no more. Now, using either the jack that came with the vehicle or a lift, raise the car. Place jacks under the car to support the car before you attempt to work under it. One jack is not sufficient. It is now time to remove the wheel and tire assembly.

4

Remove the Old Caliper

Using a socket wrench or the box end of a wrench, open the bleeder screw. Then, compress the piston back into the caliper with the help of a large c-clamp. Next, loosen the hose where it is connected to the caliper, using a flare nut wrench. With hex sockets or a wrench, remove the caliper from the steering knuckle. Turn the caliper counter-clockwise and unscrew the brake hose once the caliper is free from the steering knuckle.

5

Prepare the New Caliper for Installation

It is important to use the correct caliper for the side you are placing it on. The wrong caliper will trap air in the system. Now is also the time to inspect the rotors as you should be able to easily access them. If they need to be replaced, replace them. New rotors aren’t too expensive and they are a vital part of the brake system of the vehicle. If you need to, and you most likely will, you should also install the new brake pads into the caliper. Just fully compress the piston and they will go on.

6

Install the Caliper

Secure the caliper to the steering knuckle in the opposite order of removal. Tighten the brake hose, but be very careful not to over-tighten the hose. Check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir and add more if you need to do so to keep it above the minimum mark. You will then bleed the brakes until all of the bubbles come out and there is a solid feel to the brakes.

7

Install the Tire

Spin the lug nuts until they are snug while pressing the wheel evenly and firmly against the rotor. You don’t need to have the lug nuts fully tight at this point as that will happen in the next step.

8

Lower the Vehicle to the Ground

Once you have the vehicle on the ground, tighten the lug nuts to the torque specifications. Do not tighten the lug nuts in a row, but tighten the adjacent nuts. You do not want to go clockwise or counter-clockwise.

9

Check Brake Fluid

Check out the brake fluid level in the reservoir and fill it up to the appropriate level. Then, install the cover and close the hood. If any of the brake fluid has been spilled onto the finish of the car, be sure to clean it off as soon as you can. The finish can be damaged pretty quickly, so this is important.

10

Take the Vehicle for a Test Drive

Take the car away from buildings and other people. Check the brakes at low speeds, gradually increasing the speed for testing. If all is well, you can now secure the wheel cover or hubcap.

With the proper tools, it isn’t hard to change the calipers on your car. Additionally, it is a great way to save money on the maintenance of your vehicle. The process to change the calipers on your car might be a bit different from brake caliper removal and installation for another car, so it is always helpful to have a repair manual for your vehicle. You can purchase these directly from the dealer, or even check them out from the library. As always, be sure to follow the safety warnings.