How to Change the Brake Calipers and Rotors
Changing the brake calipers and rotors on your vehicle is not difficult to do. The brake calipers hold the brake pads, and they work along with the brake rotors to slow and stop your car using friction and hydraulics. With the high price of labor at repair shops, it is nice to know that you can replace the brake rotors and calipers yourself in about 45 minutes per wheel.
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Things You'll Need
- Automobile jack
- Jack stand
- Lug wrench
- Wheel chocks
- Socket set
- Wrench set
- Drain pan
- Turkey baster
Instructions
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1
Park your automobile on a level, firm surface. Open the engine compartment and siphon 2/3s of the brake fluid out of the master cylinder with a turkey baster. Squirt the brake fluid into a drain pan for later recycling. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
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2
Raise the vehicle with an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel with a lug wrench. Pull the wheel off the car.
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3
Remove the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet to loosen the retaining bolts. Disconnect the brake line from the automobile with a wrench and pull the caliper away from the car. Pull the brake rotor off the wheel assembly.
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4
Install the new rotor onto the wheel assembly. Attach the new brake line to the new caliper with a wrench. Attach the other end of the brake line to the car. Install the new brake pads into the caliper and place it on the mounting bracket. Tighten the retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet.
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5
Remount the wheel on the car and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the vehicle and lower it to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel. Refill the master cylinder with brake fluid as needed. Pump the brakes several times so the brake pads seat themselves on the rotors properly. The brake pedal should feel firm.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety goggles or glasses to prevent possible injury to your eyes from foreign objects or brake fluid.
Do not reuse brake fluid in the master cylinder. Use fresh DOT3 brake fluid.
References
- Photo Credit brake calipers image by Tom Oliveira from Fotolia.com
