Change out brake Caliper procedure?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
Change out brake Caliper procedure?
I'm about to change my brake calipers out for some powder coated ones.
Does anyone have instructions or a link to the procedure to change out the calipers? Pictures would be nice too.
It seems fairly straight forward. But I would like to know what I need before starting and avoid the quick trips to the autoparts store.
Thanks all.
Does anyone have instructions or a link to the procedure to change out the calipers? Pictures would be nice too.
It seems fairly straight forward. But I would like to know what I need before starting and avoid the quick trips to the autoparts store.
Thanks all.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There are two small bolts on the outside edges of the calipers that are removed. These bolts hold the caliper to the guide pins. It might be a good idea to get all new guide pins and the rubber boots. They are cheap. Get a small package of the grease too. IIRC, the bolts use a 15mm wrench.
Remove the bolt that holds the flex brake line to the caliper. You can get some neat little clamps at auto parts stores that will pinch off the lines so fluid won't leak out.
You will need new copper crush washers for the end of the brake line. Toss the old ones away before you open the package containg the new ones. You will also need to remove the bleed screws from the old calipers and install them on the new ones. Check the hole in the new calipers to make sure the threads are clean and free of any coating material.
At the inside top of the caliper, there should be a spring clip; remove it for installation on the new caliper. You should be able to set the pads on either side of the rotor, slip the caliper over the pads and insert the bolts. You should apply some Loctite BLUE threadlocker on the bolt threads. Clean the old stuff off the threads (wire brush) and apply a dab of threadlocker. The torque is about 25 ft-lbs for the front caliper bolts.
Rears calipers are the same procedure.
If you have never done a brake fluid flush, it might be a good idea to do it now. I would recommend getting a set of Speed Bleeders to make it an easy job to bleed the brakes. Do a Google search on "Speed Bleeders". You need p/n SB1010S These are sold in pairs so get 2 pair. For a good DOT3 brake fluid for street use, get some Castrol LMA or even the Ford Motorsports HD fluid (yes, FORD ).
With the Speed Bleeders, brake bleeding is a one person job. Takes about 10 minutes to do all 4 calipers.
Remove the bolt that holds the flex brake line to the caliper. You can get some neat little clamps at auto parts stores that will pinch off the lines so fluid won't leak out.
You will need new copper crush washers for the end of the brake line. Toss the old ones away before you open the package containg the new ones. You will also need to remove the bleed screws from the old calipers and install them on the new ones. Check the hole in the new calipers to make sure the threads are clean and free of any coating material.
At the inside top of the caliper, there should be a spring clip; remove it for installation on the new caliper. You should be able to set the pads on either side of the rotor, slip the caliper over the pads and insert the bolts. You should apply some Loctite BLUE threadlocker on the bolt threads. Clean the old stuff off the threads (wire brush) and apply a dab of threadlocker. The torque is about 25 ft-lbs for the front caliper bolts.
Rears calipers are the same procedure.
If you have never done a brake fluid flush, it might be a good idea to do it now. I would recommend getting a set of Speed Bleeders to make it an easy job to bleed the brakes. Do a Google search on "Speed Bleeders". You need p/n SB1010S These are sold in pairs so get 2 pair. For a good DOT3 brake fluid for street use, get some Castrol LMA or even the Ford Motorsports HD fluid (yes, FORD
).With the Speed Bleeders, brake bleeding is a one person job. Takes about 10 minutes to do all 4 calipers.
