Brake Caliper: Service Precautions

CAUTION: Do not use a screwdriver or any-similar tool to pry caliper piston out of bore. It will result in damage to piston. Cushion piston's impact against disc brake caliper when blowing it out of bore by placing shop towels or wood block between piston and caliper bridge. Use care because caliper piston can develop considerable force from pressure buildup.

NOTE: Brake friction material inherently generates noise and heat to dissipate energy. As a result, occasional squeal is possible, and it is aggravated by severe environmental conditions such as cold, heat, wet, snow, salt, mud and other conditions.

1. Keep grease or any other foreign material off lining surfaces and braking surfaces of front disc brake rotor and external surfaces of wheel hub during service operation.
2. In handling front disc brake rotor and disc brake caliper assemblies, avoid deformation, nicking or scratching of brake shoes and linings and front disc brake rotor.
3. Exercise care not to damage the caliper piston; protect it from contact with any metal or sharp-edged objects.
4. During removal and installation of a wheel assembly, exercise care not to interfere with or damage front disc brake rotor shield or the wheel cylinder bleeder screw.
5. Do not attempt to clean or restore any oil or grease-soaked brake shoes and linings. When contaminated brake shoes and linings are found, replace brake shoes and linings in complete axle sets and wash front disc brake rotor braking surfaces clean.
6. Install the LH and RH disc brake caliper on the correct side of the vehicle to be sure wheel cylinder bleeder screw is in the topmost position for proper purging of air from the front brake system during bleeding.
7. If a caliper piston is removed for any reason piston seal and dust boot must be replaced.
8. If front disc brake rotor is moved relative to the wheel hub and rust or dirt is shifted between front disc brake rotor and wheel hub, on-vehicle rotor runout can be increased significantly. This can lead to brake shudder. Check Disc Runout. If rotor is to be removed, mark rotor and one stud with touch-up paint to ensure proper alignment.
9. Clean all dirt or foreign material from mating surfaces of caliper locating pins and caliper housing ears. Dirt can cause caliper locating pins to be crooked after rear brake pin retainers are torqued, preventing disc brake caliper from sliding properly.