front caliper re build Options

[solo1]

Guys I need help. I took the front left caliper off about a week ago to loosen it up as it was sticking, replaced pads. Drove the car it still got hot so the caliper is sticking. Rebuild kits arrived for all four corners. took same caliper off, pads out. Now what? if any one can give me or direct me to, a step by step way of re doing this I would really be grateful. Assume Im a "special needs" brake mechanic. I have always had some concern about brakes cause it has to be done right. I keep staring at the caliper thinking this cant be that tough have one side piston secured with a C clamp and block. Thats as far as Ive gotten. Thinking I may be in too deep and am considering taking them to a shop and having them to the re build with the fresh parts.

[Eric_Shea]

Blow them out and do it right. If the plates don't match them... they're in wrong. What year is your car?

If it's a late model car, do this:

1. Blow the pistons back out.
2. Paint "brake caliper" assembly lube on the backside of the dust seal.
3. Install the piston positioners. Make sure the center prongs are positioned properly. To do this, install the prong closest to the angle itself, first. Then push the remaing prongs down.
4. Starting with your two inside caliper 1/2's - look at the bleeder openings. Each caliper should have a round indent on one of the bleeders that I like to use as the "top". That is the direction of rotor travel, from that top. Make sure your positioning plates angle those pistons so the angle is facing the oncoming rotor.
5. Press the pistons/dust covers and positioning plates into the caliper using a steel plate. This will press the internal metal ring in the seal onto the flange on the caliper (this is why you needed the assembly lube).
6. Repeat the proper angle and piston installation proc. for the outside 1/2's
7. Bolt them back together using the proper piston angles and torque in the proper sequence to 17 ftlbs.

If it's an early model car you won't have:

a ) Dual bleeders.
b ) Integrated seal in the dust clip.
c ) Piston positioners in the kit (if you have single bleeder calipers and you received positioners, you probably got the wrong kit).

If you have early calipers with no positioner clips simply draw an imaginary line down the center of the pad cavity and place the bottom notch of the piston recess along this line. This will give you a 20 degree angle every time.

(I need to get paid by the word) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)