How To Rebuild a Front Brake Caliper -EricTheCarGuy

In the past few videos I've been getting my Fairmont ready to take to the drag strip. Since I discovered some brake issues I thought it best to address those. In this video I rebuild the right front caliper. Turns out after I replaced the brake hoses that it was sticking and not releasing. Not wanting to spend the money on a new caliper, I decided to go for a rebuild. Now may of you may question the logic of doing this, especially when you see the caliper piston, but keep in mind my intention is to replace the entire brake system when I upgrade the engine and suspension on this car so it doesn't make sense to make a huge investment in this car as it is now. So for the naysayers, it's temporary, chill out. Either way I hope you enjoy this video and that it helps you if you find yourself needing to rebuild a front brake caliper. It is a cheap alternative IF your piston isn't all corroded. BTW it's not likely your piston isn't going to be all corroded. Good luck.

Camera: Brian Kast

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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[davidcook]

Retired mechanic here giving Eric a big thumbs up! He does these videos to help others....a GOOD guy!....david

[richardwallinger]

top man .. my father worked at Dunlop in the UK . brakes . he told me about the small retract function of the seal. In the caliper the seating face has a slight ANGLE on the pressure face . which the seal rocks on .. Well done .. I am now 75 years old and can remember what my father told me . Excellent . I use a special FLEXHONE to clean up the caliper piston bores .. Great video and top man .

[JamesDoylesGarage]

I love it Warts and all, losing the ring down the bottle. It's so true when he makes and shares his mistakes that we don't make the same the same ones. Eric's the best.

[msiraco]

I never realized a caliper was that simple. Thanks for the video sir. Keep up the good work.

[deanomutch]

"It's by hope, that, the other side doesn't get jealous", I really second this, ha ha ha. The most wisest and accurate hope a D.I.Y car mechanic could ask for.

[glennbrooks]

Had a 73 chev pu back around 85. Brought up quick at a red light. Drivers side front wheel locked up. Managed to get about a 100 meters and parked it all day due to some other commitments. Came back around 5 pm. Removed the wheel, took a hammer, squat and bent back a piece of the steel brake line. Squat again. Drove a flat top between the rotor and pad on the piston side. Drove 230 miles or about 380 km back to home and made good repairs. Moral of the story. Carry a few tools.

[labradormcgraw]

I love how he shows his mistakes. Most people would've cut that dropping the seal into the fluid, but Eric shows the whole flapdoodle. Huge respect.

[alward]

Old trucker here . For temporary fix on the piston, clean it real good , heat it up with propane put flux on the pitted area and work in some. Solder, then smooth out it works . KEEP ON TRUCKING , ,!

[handycrowd]

Great vid. Amazing how little this detail has changed over the decades.

p.s. Another way re the dust seal, is to fit it into the calliper without the piston, then sit the piston on the top of the seal and then a little puff of low pressure compressed air into the back of the calliper (via the banjo/pipe hole) will blow the seal up and around the piston. Works every time, job done.

[questioneverything]

Thanks Eric for the insight and general entertainment... always appreciated. It was go to see you go through the complete steps... I am in the middle of (managing a stuck caliper) cleaning, repair / rebuild... a friend asked why I did not just buy a new one. [partly funds] and mostly I wanted just to learn more about wrenching on my Jeep WJ brakes, which when done will be like new... I was torn with it just being a 'collapsed' brake line... which I am replacing both of the 'original looking' brake lines... replacing worn guide pins, re-lubing them, new boots. While doing all of that, I wire brushed and (lightly) painted the wheel hub surface, inner and outer rotor surfaces and will use anti-seized between all mated surfaces and the wheel to eliminate any possibility of 'wheel wobble'. Always, always learning and evolving...

[slapaho]

"penny wise and pound foolish"
Damn that came out swift and was a very nice analogy, great video as well

[matthewkight]

The quality of the sound and video is great. Showing the fine details of what you are trying to show the audience is awesome. Thanks you for this channel.

[cremedeju]

Hey Eric! I have watched many of your videos now and am a long term subscriber. From some of the comments it seems that people care more about your personal requirements for the vehicle rather than the invaluable information that you kindly share with us. I just want to say thank you for all the time and effort you put in and I am truly grateful for people like you. I will continue to support your channel as many of your videos have helped with countless car repairs, including this one! keep up the good work :)

[bestbuildpc]

Important Lesson on this video: " I am not gonna use the wrench impact machine, I'm gonna start it with a couple of thread to go". This is so important to do but not only on that part. It should be with every screw u wanna thread. U can not imagine how much I learned from u. Thanks a lot.

[ClaytonBridges]

honestly you make working as technician seem simple and enjoyable. In some cases fun, It really has me motivated.

[STBRetired]

I just watched several videos where the piston almost fell back into the bore with little effort. It's nice to see a realistic video showing the effort I've been going through to try and get that damn piston back in. At first I tried lubricating it with brake fluid - no go. Then I found out about a miracle grease (Red Rubber grease) supposedly used by caliper repair shops - still no go. I used a giant "C" clamp - no go. I don't have a giant Channel Lock so I'm thinking seriously of spending the $ 35 apiece and buying a pair of rebuilt calipers.

[edwinvp]

Eric, thanks for this excellent video. It gave me the confidence to rebuild my own calipers and change the discs and pads. I found two things along the way though:
First, I could NOT push the piston in without the special tool. After a frustrating hour I bought that tool (about 40 Euros) and it fits multiple car types/makes. Problem solved. This unexpected purchase meant nothing on the bottom line since the whole operation saved me hundreds of euros (as compared to the official dealership). Secondly, after bleeding the brakes I heard a faint hissing sound from the brake pedal even no more (visible) bubbles remained after bleeding all four brakes. The brakes are working fine though and the sound is audible only when the engine runs. I guess it is the brake booster letting in outside air into the chamber that builds up pressure against the other (vacuum) chamber.

[Thunder_Yoda]

Thanks, Eric. I invested in a car lift to take care of my family's machines and cars. I do not have the first idea about anything. I am completely clueless. Watching your very detailed videos about the basic jobs enables me to keep everything running.

[TheOtherMisterRogers]

God Bless you Sir, for showing me how to do these things on my own, giving me the confidence to do it, and being someone I trust!

[AndrewMiguelez]

I used a wire wheel on the piston and a cylinder honing tool on the cylinder when I rebuilt the brake calipers on my 300ZX (Z32) a few years ago. Still braking marvelously. Well worth the effort and saved me about $300!!!