How to Repair Light Brake Calipers

Without the brake caliper, the rest of the brake system simply would not function correctly. The brake caliper is what essentially slows the car to a slower speed or a complete resting stop. The caliper is what grabs hold of the brake rotor to complete the stop. If the caliper is broken or worn, this cannot happen.

Tools Needed:

• Jack


• Wrench


• Brake Cleaner


• Tire Tool


• Air compressor lug nut tool

1. Use a jack to lift the vehicle in the air.


2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels with a tire tool or an air compressed lug nut tool.


3. Remove all of the wheels and the tires.


4. Use a wrench to remove the brake caliper bolts. Be careful not to strip the bolts on the screws because if so, they will not tighten back into the caliper correctly and this could cause the caliper to leak the brake fluid from the bolts.


5. Look over the caliper and check for any non-repairable damage. Thoroughly clean the caliper with brake fluid.


6. Remove all of the other brake hardware that is connected in any way to the brake caliper, and clean it if it has grease on it.


7. Clean the rotor with brake fluid and wipe it off with a rag.


8. Place the brake caliper back onto the rotor and clamp it securely.


9. Put the brake caliper bolts back into their proper holes and gently tighten them in sequence. After gently tightening all of the bolts go back in order and tighten the bolts securely so that they will not leak any fluid.


10. Replace all of the brake hardware.