Keeping the slide pins maintained properly can drastically improve the life of your brakes pads and rotors. Slide pins allow the brake caliper to float whenever pressure is applied to the brakes and when the pressure reduces. If the slide pins are not maintained and greased properly, they will stick and cause excessive wear to the brake components. Tears and cracks in the boot can let water and dirt enter and the grease becomes contaminated and no longer good. Once the brakes are disassembled enough to work on the slide pins, greasing the pins is a simple task.
Raise the end of your vehicle with a jack and use the tire iron to remove the tire and wheel assembly.
Pry out the caliper slide pins with a screwdriver and hammer. Strike each side of the pins until the tabs clear the caliper and the bracket. Make sure to drive the pins toward the center of the vehicle.
Remove the caliper assembly and place it safely out of the way without it dangling from the hose.
Clean the slide pins and the grooves in it with a rag and brake cleaner solvent. Make sure there are no burrs or caked-on grease in the grooves.
Lightly coat the slide pins and their grooves with brake caliper grease. Make sure the coat of grease is very thin.
Replace the caliper in the bracket and insert the top slide pin with the narrower end toward the top. Insert the lower pin with its narrower side pointing down. Drive the pins until the tabs pop out the back side.
Pump the brakes to build pressure and seat the assembly. Bleed the brakes to remove any air buildup.
Reinstall the tire and wheel assembly and repeat the same process on the rest of the slide pins.
