How to Service Brake Calipers
One aspect of car maintenance is routinely servicing the calipers on your vehicle. By doing this you can help to lengthen the life of your calipers and help to keep them from failing while driving. For best results, the calipers should be serviced while the brake pads are being replaced.
What You Will Need
- Jack stand
- Jack
- Ratchet set
- Socket set
- Torque wrench
- Wrench set
- Wire brush
- Tire iron
- Lubricant
- Clamps
- Brake cleaner
- Rags
- Loosen the lug nuts on each wheel that will be removed.
- Use the jack to lift up the vehicle.
- Place jack stands underneath the vehicle for support.
- Finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheels completely.
- Use your clamps to clamp the brake line that is attached to the caliper. Make sure not to damage the brake line with the clamp.
- Remove the hose from the caliper.
- Unbolt the caliper from the vehicle.
- Move the caliper from the vehicle.
- Remove the brake pads.
- Remove the bolts or pins that hold the caliper housing above the rotor.
- Use the brake cleaner, rags, and wire brush to clean the caliper. Make sure all grime and rust is thoroughly removed from the caliper.
- Use the lubricant on the slide pins. Slowly move the slide pins in and out of the pin boots of the housing.
- Reinstall the caliper’s housing above the rotor.
- Replace the brake pads.
- Reattach the caliper with the mounting bolts.
- Connect the brake hose to the caliper and remove the clamp from the line.
- Replace the wheels of the vehicle.
- Replace the lug nuts on the wheels.
- Remove the jack stands from underneath the car.
- Lower the vehicle back to the ground.
- Tighten the lug nuts with your torque wrench.