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Posted by Craig B (93 SE) on June 03, 2002 at 08:43:17:
In Reply to: Concern with my rear disc brakes.... posted by Will on June 03, 2002 at 07:45:07:
I took off my rear caliper (2 bolts, then remove parking brake cable and brake fluid hose). I just zip tied the brake fluid hose up on my springs and put some towels around it. It does leak slowly but not too bad, just keep an eye on your fluid level under teh hood and dont let it go dry. Once you have the main caliper piece off (be careful, there's lots of brake fluid still in there waiting to get all over your clothes), take it to your bench. To remove the piston, turn it counter-clockwise carefully with some needle nose pliers. You'll feel when it comes out and then you can pull the outer boot off (it fits into a lip at the bottom). That has worked for both of my calipers (one probably 6-8 months ago and one about 3 months ago). I haven't heard anything from back there since then. I was having troule where they were dragging the pads on the rotors and making all kinds of noises. hopefully this will help, its only about $40 for the kit so its worth a shot : ....The rear driver's side wheel has less pad material than the right side, but the rear passenger side wheel has more brake pad, but also has score marks on the rotors. I haven't had a chance to take the wheels off and inspect yet, but I am preparing for the worst when the time comes. Just off the bat, are my sliders already seized, or is something else going on? New caliper maybe?? Any suggestions and/or advice appreciated.
I've had problems with both of my rear calipers at different times.
I bought the rear brake caliper rebuild kit from Courtesy. It took forever because it was special order - something like 2-3 weeks.first item listed is it
I just took some rags with a little brake fluid and cleaned the piston outside until it was shiny; it had a lot of buildup on it before. I did the same on the inside of the caliper where the piston slides. I didn't have a tool to get the C clips out of it and replace them. I just cleaned everything, took out the upper ring on the caliper hole, lubed the new one (the kit includes some grease stuff), and put it in. Then I lubed the piston really well and its new outer boot and reassembled. I also greased the slider pins.
When you're trying to get teh piston back on with the new boot, it can be a pain, but here's what worked for me...
stretch upper end of boot over the very lower edge of teh piston, it'll be tight but you can do it
then put the lower lip of the boot into the caliper
now screw the piston into the caliper (clockwise)
hold the boot up from slipping off the bottom while you do it
when you get teh piston in far enough, you will be able to get it into the groove on the piston
be sure to use lots of lube on the inside of teh boot lips and on the groove in the piston because that boot will need to be able to slide around the piston while it is rotating when it pushes out
also, be sure to check your brake pads, they may wear quickly but if they wear completely out, they'll eat your rotor in no time (trust me)