Removal

WARNING: ALTHOUGH FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE LININGS ARE MADE FROM ASBESTOS FREE MATERIALS, SOME AFTER MARKET BRAKE LININGS MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN AFTERMARKET BRAKE LININGS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. ALWAYS WEAR A RESPIRATOR WHEN CLEANING BRAKE COMPONENTS AS ASBESTOS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM SUCH AS ASBESTOSIS AND OR CANCER. NEVER CLEAN BRAKE COMPONENTS BY USING COMPRESSED AIR, USE ONLY A VACUUM CLEANER SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF BRAKE DUST. IF A VACUUM CLEANER IS NOT AVAILABLE, CLEAN BRAKE PARTS USING ONLY WATER DAMPENED SHOP TOWELS. DO NOT CREATE BRAKE LINING DUST BY SANDING BRAKE LININGS WHEN SERVICING A VEHICLE. DISPOSE OF ALL DUST AND DIRT SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING ASBESTOS FIBERS USING ONLY SEALED AIR TIGHT BAGS OR CONTAINERS. FOLLOW ALL RECOMMENDED SAFETY PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), FOR HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASBESTOS.

GENERAL INFORMATION
If inspection reveals that the square sectioned caliper piston seal is worn or damaged, it should be replaced immediately. During removal and installation of a wheel and tire assembly, use care not to strike the caliper.

NOTE: Before vehicle is moved after any brake service work, pump the brake pedal several times to insure the vehicle has a firm brake pedal.

PROCEDURE
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a hoist.
2. Remove front wheel and tire assemblies from vehicle.

CAUTION: When prying the piston back into the bore of the caliper do not use a hard pry bar. The use of a hard pry bar will damage the braking surface of the rotor.

3. Slightly pry the piston back into the bore of the disc brake caliper. The piston is to be pried back by inserting a soft tool (such as a trim stick) between the inboard brake shoe and the rotor and prying against the inboard brake shoe. This will force the piston back into the caliper.
4. Remove the 2 brake caliper to steering knuckle guide pin bolts.
5. Remove brake caliper from steering knuckle, by first rotating bottom of brake caliper away from the steering knuckle. Then slide top of brake shoes down and out from the top machined abutment on steering knuckle.
6. Support brake caliper from upper control arm to prevent weight of caliper from being supported by brake flex hose. Supporting disc brake caliper from flex hose can damage the hose.
7. Remove the brake rotor from the front hub.

Removing/Installing Outboard Brake Pad:

8. Remove outboard brake shoe by pushing the brake shoe inward until retaining pins on brake shoe can be removed from holes in caliper. Then slide the brake shoe off the caliper.

Removing Inboard Brake Pad From Piston:

9. Pull inboard brake shoe away from piston until retaining clip is free from cavity in piston.

CALIPER INSPECTION
Check caliper for piston seal leaks (brake fluid in and around boot area and inboard lining) and for any ruptures of the piston dust boot. If boot is damaged, or fluid leak is visible, disassemble caliper and install a new seal and boot, (and piston if scored). Refer to Disc Brake Caliper Service and Repair.

Check the caliper dust boot and caliper pin bushings to determine if they are in good condition. Replace if they are damaged, dry, or found to be brittle. Refer to Disc Brake Caliper Service and Repair.