How To Rebuild A Front Brake Caliper - Complete Guide

In this video I show you a step by step process of how to repair and rebuild a brake caliper. Refurbishing a brake caliper yourself can save you a lot of money, it can be a quick and easy DIY job and does not require many tools. By doing this you save the need to buy a reconditioned brake caliper.


If you have a sticking or seized brake or leaking caliper seal, you can rectify and permanently fix the problem.

Thanks to everyone who watches my videos, Likes, Shares and or leaves a comment. I appreciate everyone of you.


This is part of my Ep3 Honda Civic Type R Project

Disclaimer:
GerardBurke is a qualified motor technician who has completed modules & courses in manual handling and all aspects of workshop safety. These videos are not intended to be used by anyone who is not trained and or qualified to carry them out.
Due to factors beyond the control of GerardBurke, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. GerardBurke assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. GerardBurke recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of GerardBurke, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed 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 from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not GerardBurke.

[flyboy]

What I find to be the easiest way to get the dust boot re-installed on the piston is to first seat it in its groove in the caliper, then slid the piston into the boot most of the way. Place a piece of wood in front of the piston so that it can't travel too far out. Apply compressed air from the back of the caliper and the air pressure will push the boot out and into the groove on the piston.

[raultaylor]

4 yrs later and this video is gold... thanks 👍

[CiB]

Finally a vid that isn't condescending. Appreciate you, man!

[brucewmclaughlin]

Well that certainly lowers the fear level of doing this myself.

[richardwallinger]

nice clear video my Citroen C6 front and rear calipers had UK salt corrosion . the pistons were amazingly rust free but the rubber boots were jammed against the pistons with the swollen rust . the rubber dust boot groove had to be cleaned using a dremel cut off disc .

[steveclujhawkins]

Gerard Burke : Excellent video. I was able to rebuild my caliper , 87' Dodge. I could not figure out how to remove piston until your video. Far simpler than rebuilding my destroyed differential assembly. Thank you. USA

[ghettobirdgimp]

I wrap half of a plastic bag around the air compressor blower end tightly like plumbers tape to act as a seal and then jam it in as above. May need to adjust the seal diameter with more or less wraps of plastic to get it :) Will get the most stubborn of stuck pistons out this way but beware the piston can pop out the other side with a lot of force so keep your fingers away from piston face and inside of caliper. I stuff the inside of the caliper with a few rags so the piston gets caught when popped out so it doesn't get nicked/damaged. That way I can reuse it if in good condition plus it helps slow down the piston on exit making it slightly safer.

[darrensmith]

Best vid on brake caliper rebuild I've seen on YouTube
* Gold Medal! 👍

[vitalijaskeiryte]

did it many times but its been 2 years from last replacesment so i had to check how to do it correctly. thanks for info.

[colinburrough]

This vid is getting a bit old but still relevant for many cars. My Nissan Note had a stuck calliper so I took it off but could not remove the piston. I reconnected the hose and tried to pump it out but it did not come out completely before jamming. At around 7.30 you used a flat drift/chisel to unjam yours so I tried that and IT WORKED! Thanks for the tip. I've now got to put the seals and rubber cover back in (pity that bit was missing) and after seeing your vid, I'm confident that it'll be ok. Thanks, Gerald, for the vid.

[derekbond]

Superb Gerard you've shown all what i wanted to know, great closeup of what you're doing is well appreciated, thank you .

[Adrianv]

This video is about to save me about 300 bucks. Thank you.

[garymoon]

In addition to the excellent description of the actual process of rebuilding the caliper, I really appreciated the steady camera work and clear direct narration without rambling.  

Too many instructional videos are painful to watch because the camera is handheld (not on tripod) and bouncing all over the place. Don't this people watch their results and realize how bad their video is? Combine that wobbly camera with "instructions" which are delivered with no preparation so the narration is just a jumble.  

Gerald's video was lightyears better on both counts, well explained, and expertly filmed. Thank you!

[jcc]

Good video. However, I would've liked to see more details on how to insert the seal into the grove and the cylinder. I was really hopping for that. The outside of the caliper could've used more cleaning and some paint  to keep the rust away.

[keithhopewell]

i came up with this when i had a garage years ago. if u cant get the ring on the boot to pop into the groove inside the cylinder [and be very careful with a screwdriver, better to cut a blunter piece of wood] pull boot to end of piston so the ring on the boot is over the edge, then using insulating tape tape the boot to the [clean] piston to hold it in position and u can then push ring on the boot into the groove without having to insert the piston.


works really well, as much as i liked the excellent vid i tried for ages to do it his way...impossible

[seismic]

If the bleed screws are stuck it can be a hell of a job doing anything with the caliper. I ended up buying refurbished and trading in the old ones. You get a caliper that is like new effectively.
After that, I intend to keep up with my maintenance more and take the bleed screws out every year or so, apply anti-sieze on them and also push out the pistons and grease.
Many cars simply do not get the attention they need, such as this, and garages will replace pads and discs without giving attention to anything else it seems.

[ashy]

Great video and great work.
Thanks
Ash from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[a.cxs]

Great video! I was just wondering how you find out what dimensions of the repair kits are compatible with your calipers? When I check suppliers with my car's number plate, there are several alternatives that come up.. (I have a Volvo V40 2013 D2 114hp with ATE calipers).

[Mindkiller]

So the dustproof seal is the same on both sides, if turned it doesn't really matter right?

[pirihern]

My kit came with a wire clip this is for a 2011 lexus is250 front rightside. The video definitely helped