How to Replace Brake Caliper? Sydney Car Repair

When a car sits outside for an extended period, it’s good to follow a list of things to check and/or repair. Car for being able to start up after lying dormant for a long time, but there is one component that always seems to need attention—the brakes.

If the brakes are corroded, most of the time, you can simply take your car for a short spin, and the accumulated rust will be worn off. The action of actuating the brakes a few times can be enough to get them going again. However, for cars over two decades old, that may not be the case. 

Additionally, there’s the brake fluid itself. If you don’t regularly flush your brake fluid, moisture will accumulate in it. As water is denser than oil (or brake fluid), the moisture will always collect at the lowest point of the braking system—the calipers. If your car is constantly in use, the movement of the piston reduces the rate of rust accumulation. Still, given enough time, your caliper piston will seize.

Brake calipers are located in a very dirty area of your car. The piston can corrode and the brake caliper will seize (aka ‘freeze’) and when you release the brake the brake fails to release. If this happens you may hear ‘squeeling’, smell overheating of the brake components and the entire wheel may get very hot. This is the symptoms of failing or corroded brake calipers. May have the different symptoms as well, for example: leaking brake fluid, the feeling of a stuck brake, reduction in braking ability, vehicle pulling to one side while braking. You have be ware if this symptoms appear.

Can you Rebuild or replace the caliper?

Yes. You have two options: rebuild the caliper, or replace the caliper. If you plan to completely restore your calipers, however, I recommend removing them entirely from the car. This way, you can remove the years of corrosion and repaint them so that they look like new. Or give someone more experience car repair mechanic to do it.

Tools you need:

• Jack
• Axle stands
• Drip tray
• Socket set
• Screwdrivers
• Hex key set (aka allen keys)
• Brake caliper repair kit for your caliper
• Brake fluid

The step for replace brake caliper:

1. Jack up the car, support on axle stands and remove the wheel. Crack the wheel nuts, then jack up the car and support on axle stands. This needs to be done safely, never work under a car supported only on a jack!
2. Remove the Caliper: This is easy – you just have to remove the upper and lower caliper mounting bolts. Once the caliper has been removed from its mounted position, you can easily remove the brake pads.
3. Clean piston and caliper bore thoroughly and remove the old seals: make sure you also clean out channels and seats for seals.
4. Fit the new piston and seals: Get your cheap, but perfectly formed, brake caliper repair kit and grease up the seals using the appropriate (red) grease – which you should get in the brake caliper repair kit. Fit the new square profile seal inside the caliper.
5. Finish installation: once you’ve wrapped up the installation of new pistons, reinstall the brake pads and calipers making sure to apply caliper grease in all needed areas.