Changing out front calipers.

[tungsten]

Got some new calipers and pads for my 03 2500 CC,reading about how holding the brake pedal down before removing the fluid hose will stop fluid from dripping out?

Is this true,seems kinda odd.I dont have anything to plug it so was just going to remove and stab into the new one quickly.Then bleed.

Any tips,changed brakes many of times but never a new caliper.Cheers.

 

[Scottydoggs]

i just swap em out as fast as i can. just make sure the master stays full and bleeding will be easy.

 

[Fless]

Be sure to use a new crush washer on each side of the brake hose where it connects with the banjo bolt.

 

[zbad55]

Some will clamp the hose, which is not a good idea because it be damaged. Either way you will need to bleed the system anytime you crack open the hydraulic line.

 

[tungsten]

Be sure to use a new crush washer on each side of the brake hose where it connects with the banjo bolt.

How do you remove the old one? assuming it won't just pull off.

 

[B-train]

Loosen the bolt while the caliper is mounted. If it's stiff, easy pressure back and forth until it moves. If no luck, then MAPP gas torch the head for a bit and try again. If it's completely rusted out, just put a new hose on and F the caliper connection with some side cutters. You'll need some good wrenches for the brake line connection as well, maybe some heat. Last resort tho, as you can usually get the bolt out of the caliper with some heat.

 

[tungsten]

Well frig,looks like I got the wrong ones.They used my vin so obviously the parts guy is blind.Anyway cleaned the area of rust that the clips sit on since I had it apart,greased everything .Had an awful squeal not sure what that's about.Figured Id find uneven wear on the pads but nope,still have lots of life.

 

[Fless]

And the calipers should be installed with the bleeders UP, when you get that far.

 

[89Suburban]

Do not press the pedal down. Crack the lid open on the master cylinder. Remove the caliper hose, let it hang upright and leak. Remove the old caliper. Position the new caliper with the hose port upright and let the leaking hose fill the caliper up and flowing out. Once it is doing this bolt the new hose on snug. Then position the caliper so the bleeder screw is at 12'oclock, break it open and let it flow out some. Then install everything to proper torqued. Then you can do a brake bleed after that. Whatever you do DO NOT bottom out the brake pedal, only a half stroke at a time.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Do not press the pedal down. Crack the lid open on the master cylinder. Remove the caliper hose, let it hang upright and leak. Remove the old caliper. Position the new caliper with the hose port upright and let the leaking hose fill the caliper up and flowing out. Once it is doing this bolt the new hose on snug. Then position the caliper so the bleeder screw is at 12'oclock, break it open and let it flow out some. Then install everything to proper torqued. Then you can do a brake bleed after that. Whatever you do DO NOT bottom out the brake pedal, only a half stroke at a time.

ONE STROKE, ONE STROKE!!

 

[MassHoe04]

How do you remove the old one? assuming it won't just pull off.

Sometimes, the crush washers will will stick to the end connector of the hose or the back of the caliper. Look for the copper washer and flick it off with a knife or putty knife. Be sure both washers are removed and use the new ones. You don't want to double up on the washers. That might cause leak problems for you.

 

[nonickatall]

What about your brake caliper? There's usually only one thing that can go bad, and that's the piston seal. When it leaks, that has nothing to do with uneven wear on the brake pads. If you have uneven wear, the caliper is probably not well maintenanced.

Two things you have to maintanace on a caliper. On one hand you have to push the brake piston back all the way from time to time and then extend it again. Due to the fact, that the brake caliper piston is usually only moved less than a millimeter, the piston is no longer so easy to move. At the latest when you change the brake pads, you should push the piston all the way back into several times and then push it out again by braking, so that it has been moved through its full range of motion. Of course, you have to be careful not to push the piston out of the cylinder.

Furthermore, the slide pins of the brake caliper must be absolutely free to move. You have to clean and lubricate them.

Then there is no one-sided wear

 

[tungsten]

What about your brake caliper? There's usually only one thing that can go bad, and that's the piston seal. When it leaks, that has nothing to do with uneven wear on the brake pads. If you have uneven wear, the caliper is probably not well maintained.

Two things you have to maintain on a caliper. On one hand you have to push the brake piston back all the way from time to time and then extend it again. Due to the fact, that the brake caliper piston is usually only moved less than a millimeter, the piston is no longer so easy to move. At the latest when you change the brake pads, you should push the piston all the way back into several times and then push it out again by braking, so that it has been moved through its full range of motion. Of course, you have to be careful not to push the piston out of the cylinder.

Furthermore, the slide pins of the brake caliper must be absolutely free to move. You have to clean and lubricate them.

Then there is no one-sided wear

What Im getting is excessive brake dust,both front wheels covered in about 2 weeks time.
Haven't re ordered new ones yet,just cleaned and re grease.Ill try your suggestion as I didn't move the pistons back yesterday.
The squeal i had is gone though.

 

[nonickatall]

That

What Im getting is excessive brake dust,both front wheels covered in about 2 weeks time.
Haven't re ordered new ones yet,just cleaned and re grease.Ill try your suggestion as I didn't move the pistons back yesterday.
The squeal i had is gone though.

this can be caused by stiff brake pistons.

Remove the brake caliper but not the hose, use pliers and a piece of wood (not to damage the brake piston) to push the piston all the way back to its original position. Have someone in the car pressing the brake pedal several times until the piston is out again.

Be careful not to step too far, so that the piston does not fall out of the caliper. Repeat this 5 to 10 times and you will find that the piston moves much more easily. The problem is that the brake disc is always a bit uneven and the brake pads are pushed away as a result. The brake piston can usually be pushed away easily and the brake then becomes free. If the brake piston sticks, then you always have a slight pressure on the brake disc. This costs wear and causes excessive fuel consumption..

As well you should look for your break fluid and change it at least every two years, because your Break fluid is hygroskopic. The water in the brakefluid make the piston housing corrode which extense this problem a lot. Fresh breakfluid is clear like water, old Breakfluid is brown....

 

[tungsten]

Ok so maybe I’ve found the problem. I remember back a few months ago putting new pads and rotors on and finding it difficult to get the new pads in. So today cleaned and greased and same thing. So after looking the rust buildup under the chrome clips maybe why. I’ve been cleaning the sides not the flat part. Anyway will get it back together and see

 

[tungsten]

Ok so did the other side again lol.also took a round file to the notches in the pads. They slip right in now. Went for a test drive and feels good. Will have to clean my front wheels and see if the excess dust has stopped.

 

[nonickatall]

Ok so did the other side again lol.also took a round file to the notches in the pads. They slip right in now. Went for a test drive and feels good. Will have to clean my front wheels and see if the excess dust has stopped.

Did you push the pistons back and check the quality of the brake fluid?

 

[tungsten]

Did you push the pistons back and check the quality of the brake fluid?

yeah gave the pistons some exercise ,fluid is somewhat stained.
Happy to have good brakes and it costed me nothing

 

[nonickatall]

yeah gave the pistons some exercise ,fluid is somewhat stained.
Happy to have good brakes and it costed me nothing

Then you should definitely change the brake fluid.
Explanation: Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it can absorb water. Since the brake system cannot be completely leak-proof because the amount of brake fluid varies due to the wear of the brake pads, the brake fluid draws water out of the ambient air over time.

The more water the brake fluid contains, the greater the corrosion, e.g. in the brake caliper, and at some point you have the problem that your brakes can Fail, when the brake fluid begins to evaporate, because of the heat on the brakes.

This manifests itself in the fact that individual brakes suddenly close, because the vapor that is produced puts them under pressure. So as soon as the brake fluid starts to get dark, it needs to be changed. if you don't have a special device for that you can do it yourself, with a second man.

But Change it. This is an important maintenance to your truck.