How to Replace Calipers

Most commonly used on front wheels, the brake calipers are part of the disc-brake wheel assembly. The calipers hold the wheel cylinder piston and brake pads that press against the disc to slow or stop the vehicle whenever you step on the brake pedal. However, when a caliper piston freezes, leaks or has too many miles of service on it, the caliper has to be rebuilt or replaced.

Instructions

Loosen the wheel lugs with a lug wrench on the wheel assembly with the brake caliper you need to replace.

Raise the tire until it clears the ground using a floor jack, and support it on a jack stand.

Remove the wheel lugs and dismount the tire from the wheel assembly.

Place a small drain pan or old newspapers underneath the wheel assembly to catch any brake fluid spill after you disconnect the brake caliper hose.

Disconnect the brake hose-mounting bolt from the back of the caliper using a tube wrench to avoid rounding off the bolt head, and discard the fitting washers.

Wrap a plastic bag around the end of the caliper hose to prevent more brake fluid from spilling and contamination of the brake system.

Unscrew and remove the two caliper mounting pins at the back of the caliper using a Torx bit or socket and ratchet, depending on the type of pins used on your particular model.

Lift the caliper off the brake disc and away from the vehicle. Then remove the brake pads from the caliper, if your particular caliper holds the brake pads in it.

Mount the brake pads on the new caliper, if necessary.

Set the new caliper on the disc.

Insert the two caliper mounting pins and tighten them with the Torx bit or socket and ratchet.

Remove the plastic bag from the caliper hose and set the hose on the caliper using two new copper washers.

Start the hose-mounting bolt by hand to avoid cross threading, and then tighten the bolt with the tube wrench.

Mount the tire on the wheel assembly and install the wheel lugs. Then tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench just enough to press the rim against the wheel mounting flange.

Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the wheel lugs following a star-shaped pattern.

Bleed the brake system according to your vehicle manufacturer specifications.