Brake calipers are metal components that hold brake pistons and brakes into position. Seals can fail, caliper pins can freeze up, causing wear and tear on one or both brake pads, or the piston can require replacement if the brake pads become too low or overheated. If calipers are not repaired in a timely fashion, this can force the unusual wear and tear of brakes and rotors and can result in more costly repairs.
Position the vehicle on a flat surface. Loosen the lug nuts on the tire; if nuts are seized, used WD-40 to loosen the seized lug nuts.
Place the jack under the vehicle and jack up the side of the car you will be working on. Place a cement block or a jack stand underneath the vehicle just in case the first jack fails to secure the vehicle. Push on the vehicle slightly to test the security of the jack.
Loosen the lug nuts with a torque wrench; remove the loosened lug nuts, set them aside and pull off the tire. The caliper will be visible. Remove the plastic cover over the uppermost and bottommost bolts if present, and then remove the two bolts that attach the caliper to the rotor with the appropriate-sized socket wrench. Set the plastic caps and bolts aside.
Locate the banjo bolt--the bolt that connects the brake caliper to the brake line and the last remaining bolt connector. Locate the bronze-colored washer just underneath the banjo bolt, remove the banjo bolt and replace the washer underneath it with the new washer that accompanies the new brake caliper. Set the banjo bolt aside with the other bolts and lug nuts.
Slide off the old brake caliper as you separate it from the rotor. Put the new brake caliper into position over the brakes and rotor. Reconnect the banjo bolt and new washer.
Insert the uppermost bolt and bottommost bolt into the new caliper and secure tightly. Replace the bolt caps if they were present upon initial removal of the old caliper.
Add brake fluid and bleed the car brakes to remove any trapped air in the brake lines. Bleed the brakes until they do not hit the floorboard when stepped on and they offer a solid feel. Replace the tire and lug nuts. Secure the lug nuts tightly.
