How to Change a Brake Caliper

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Brake calipers are the housing assemblies for front disc brake pads. These assemblies can fail just like any other part of your car's braking system and will need to be replaced. This article will tell you how to change a brake caliper.

Steps

1. 1
   Use a jack to lift your car off the ground. Ensure the jack is positioned correctly under your car. You might want to support your car with jack stands. Refer to your owner's manual for jacking points.

   
   
2. 2
   Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench or breaker bar and remove the front tires. Turn the wheel to expose the caliper mounting bolts.
3. 3
   Compress the caliper piston into the bore with a C-clamp or piston retracting tool.
4. 4
   Remove the retaining bolts that hold the caliper's brake hose in place to allow movement with a wrench.
   • Some cars may have clips in place of the bolts. Use the edge of a Phillips or flathead screwdriver to pry open the clips. Throw away the old brass or copper washers.
5. 5
   Clamp the caliper hose with needle-nose pliers to prevent the loss of brake fluid. Make sure that the hose is not clamped too tightly to prevent damage.
   • A small rubber plug can be inserted into the hose instead of clamping.
6. 6
   Loosen and remove the caliper fitting with a wrench. This fitting is also known as a "banjo" fitting.
7. 7
   Remove the caliper mounting bolts with a wrench. Some vehicles have 2 bolts, while others may only have one to take out.
8. 8
   Lift the caliper up until it clears the rotor and then slide it off. Remove the brake pads from the caliper.
9. 9
   Inspect the caliper supports for rusting or corrosion that would interfere with the new caliper.
10. 10
    Lubricate the back of the brake pads, mounting bushings and sleeves with silicone grease. Place the brake pads into the new caliper if they are not preloaded.
11. 11
    Slide the brake pad and caliper assembly over the rotor. Install new mounting bolts and tighten to your vehicle's specifications. You might need a torque wrench to do this.
12. 12
    Reconnect the caliper hose with the caliper (banjo) fitting and new washers.
13. 13
    Remove the clamp or plug from the hose and use a wrench or torque wrench to replace the retaining bolts or clips.
14. 14
    Bleed your brakes until they are firm. Refill any brake fluid that was lost.
15. 15
    Put the wheels back onto your car. Tighten the lug nuts in a star formation.
16. 16
    Test the feel of your car's brakes before you travel.

    
    

Warnings

• Support your car with stands if needed. Serious injury can result from jack failure.
• Do not clean brake parts with compressed air or grind brake linings, because asbestos dust can be created that can cause respiratory problems.

Things You'll Need

• Jack (or jack stands)
• Lug wrench or breaker bar
• Torque wrench set (size varies by car)
• Hand wrenches (size varies by car)
• Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
• Needle-nose pliers or rubber plug
• C-clamp or piston retracting tool

• Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Change a Brake Caliper. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.