View Full Version : how to get this off?
spc2125
06-28-2011, 07:38 PM
I un bolted the top and bottom 12 mm bolts but it wont shake loose?
how do i get the caliper off?
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262668_2218250660349_1370109359_2552663_4492094_n. jpg
spc2125
06-28-2011, 07:54 PM
bump :)
alero_bmxer
06-28-2011, 07:59 PM
put a long flat blade screwdriver between the caliper itself and the caliper bracket on the top side of the caliper and pry on it.
spc2125
06-28-2011, 08:01 PM
so i dont need to unscrew the breakline bolt right below the hose?
alero_bmxer
06-28-2011, 08:05 PM
no don't take the brake line off unless you feel like bleeding brakes
JLw7123
06-28-2011, 08:06 PM
Just use a screw driver as alero_bmxer said and pry
cherrington17
06-28-2011, 08:15 PM
I use a C clamp to push the brake pad against the rotor, pushing the caliper piston in.
then if still stuck, a rubber mallet does the trick.
spc2125
06-28-2011, 09:27 PM
what if i want to take the whole caliper off. (like from the breakline) what wll i need to do when i put it back on
Redog
06-28-2011, 09:55 PM
Wait, I don't understand, do you want to break the brake hose, or remove the caliper from the brake hose?
Why would you want to do either, unless your replacing the caliper.
There is another bolt on the caliper that holds the brake hose on the caliper. I find it's easier to have the caliper bolted to the bracket to break the brake bolt loose. I forget the size, I think it's 11mm. No need to tighten the brake caliper bolts to tight to break loose the brake line bolt.
If you do break the brake bolt and it's broke, it won't break the bank to buy a new bolt to repair the brakes. It's a speical bolt that allows brake fluid into the caliper. If it's broke for trying to break it loose, you gotta replace it or the brakes won't work :lol:
Couldn't resist.
Plus if you have 12mm bolts on the calipers, they've been replaced. The fronts are 13mm on the caliper and 15mm on the brackets and the rear is all 13mm or 13mm on the brackets and 15mm on the calipers ;)
Also, don't lose the copper "O" gasket under the brake line hose on the caliper. If you don't put it on, the calipers will leak brake fluid
cavaliers60
06-28-2011, 10:19 PM
^^ My head just exploded from reading that post.... :(
Ryan from Ohio
06-28-2011, 10:42 PM
what if i want to take the whole caliper off. (like from the breakline) what wll i need to do when i put it back on
Unless you have a reason to remove it DONT. The copper wires Kenny mentioned are seals and also known as crush washers. Even if you reuse it, it may possibly leak.
If for whatever reason you HAVE to take it off... Take a set of vise grips and clamp down tight on the rubber hose. This will help minimize the ammount of bleeding necessary after reassembly.
Now if you want to pull the caliper off the rotor- Loosen the brake reservoir cap. Remove the two bolts into the caliper bracket. Grab the caliper and pull it on an angle to force the piston back in. Pull on it for a good 5-10 seconds. The caliper will lift right off then without damaging the piston. Using a pry bar can damage the piston and rip the rubber boot.
spc2125
06-28-2011, 11:08 PM
it all started with the idea of painting the calipers....
then to jacking up the car and deciding to rotate my tires...
then i saw the caliper and i was like hmmm i should prob see if i can take it off just incase i want to do my calipers..
but i was just doing it so i could learn how to do it. sometimes i take stuff apart to learn how they work and learn how to fix them and stuff.
mfuller
06-28-2011, 11:42 PM
As the Dr. said, it sounds like you forgot to compress the caliper piston.
BE SURE TO REMOVE THE CAP FROM THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BEFORE COMPRESSING THE CALIPER PISTON.
If you want to remove the caliper completely for a thorough cleanig before painting (cleaning is highly recommended before painting), you'll need new copper crush washers when you re-attach the brake line. Do not attempt to re-use these; they will leak. And brake fluid is highly caustic (it will wreak havoc on your skin and painted surfaces).
Redog
06-28-2011, 11:49 PM
The twice I've painted calipers off the car.
First time, my dad's neighbor removed the rear calipers, I painted them, we re-installed them, and sure enough, like said by Ryan, they leaked a few weeks later.
The second time was when I replaced the calipers totally.
If you want to paint calipers, remove the caliper from the rotor, remove bracket from car, put newspaper over the rotor, place caliper on top of the newspaper. put newspaper behind the caliper, and paint away :awesome:
spc2125
06-29-2011, 04:24 PM
OK so i went into my car and drove it for the first time after doing this and i hear some ticking.....
Ryan from Ohio
06-29-2011, 04:32 PM
LOL
Dont fix it if it aint broken!
robalero
06-29-2011, 04:34 PM
the little clips between the bracket and rotor they are touching the rotor as you drive. so take it apart and push that clip in so it doesn't touch the rotor
Lucalare
06-29-2011, 05:33 PM
Rob's right, that's the same thing that made me think I had a bad hub.
Redog
06-29-2011, 06:51 PM
X3 on what Rob said.
That happened to my buddy's Malibu when we replaced the brakes
spc2125
06-29-2011, 09:23 PM
LOL
Dont fix it if it aint broken!
just taking it apart to see how to do it
spc2125
06-29-2011, 09:24 PM
the little clips between the bracket and rotor they are touching the rotor as you drive. so take it apart and push that clip in so it doesn't touch the rotor
will try this in the morning, in the meantime is it safe to drive?
billytheman1188
06-30-2011, 12:44 AM
if it's the clips pushing against the rotor then YES it's safe to drive, just dont drive with it like that too long.
robalero
06-30-2011, 05:15 AM
its more then safe, it took me awhile to figure mine out once. its just a real annoying noise is what it is
spc2125
07-07-2011, 05:42 PM
anybody have pics of these "clips".
i have the caliper off and im trying to figure this out.
If its the metal peices that hold the brake pads then i dont think thats the problem because those are in quite tight.
spc2125
07-07-2011, 06:27 PM
fixed it... the same day i was taking apart my caliper i had planned to rotate my tires and i had stopped because the jack stand ate right through the rusted metal piece below the side skirt. turns out i didnt tighten the back tire well enough and everytime i drove it it got worse. i flipped off the center cap to the wheel and bam, every single lug nut was loose. thank god nothing ever happened.
JLw7123
07-07-2011, 09:28 PM
ya you are lucky that is why you check to see if the lug nuts are tightened after you go for a drive after you install the rims. But you should have torqued them down to 100 ft lbs and then you would not have had that problem.
robalero
07-07-2011, 09:35 PM
JL thats not always the case, ive used my torque wrench before and seen lug nuts come loose after 150k to the point were lets say two out of 3 nuts are loose enough you can take off by hand. thats why it is always recommened to retorque after 50 to 100k just to be safe
JLw7123
07-07-2011, 10:03 PM
well even if i torque them i check the lug nuts anyway after i take my car for a drive. It is better to be safe than sorry,
vBulletin v3.6.0, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.