GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J-22904-A Caliper Piston Seal Installer

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement .
  2. Drain all the brake fluid from the caliper.
  3. Caution: Do not place your fingers in front of the piston in order to catch or protect the piston while applying compressed air. This could result in serious injury.

    Notice: Use just enough air pressure to ease the piston out of the bore. You can damage a blown-out piston even with the padding.

  4. Pad the interior of the caliper with clean shop towels.

  5. Object Number: 141  Size: SH
  6. Remove the piston from the caliper bore.

  7. Object Number: 142  Size: SH
  8. Remove the boot from the caliper bore. Do not scratch the housing bore.

  9. Object Number: 143  Size: SH
  10. Remove the piston seal from the caliper bore. Do not use a metal tool.

  11. Object Number: 145  Size: SH
  12. Remove the bleeder valve from the caliper body.
  13. Clean the bleeder valve, the caliper bore, the caliper passages and the piston with denatured alcohol. Dry the parts and blow out the brake fluid passages. Use dry and filtered compressed air.
  14. Inspect the piston and the caliper for the following conditions:
  15. • Scoring on the piston surface or in the caliper bore
    • Corrosion on the piston
    • Chrome plating damage on the piston
    • Corrosion in the caliper bore
    • Use crocus cloth in order to polish light corrosion from the caliper bore. Replace the caliper if the corrosion cannot be removed.
    • Pitting in the caliper bore
  16. Replace the piston or the caliper if you found any of the above conditions.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1079  Size: SH
  1. Lubricate the new piston seal, the caliper bore, and the piston with clean brake fluid.

  2. Object Number: 143  Size: SH
  3. Install the piston seal. Make sure the piston seal is not twisted in the caliper bore groove.

  4. Object Number: 147  Size: SH
  5. Install the boot on the piston.

  6. Object Number: 143  Size: SH
  7. Install the piston in the caliper bore.

  8. Object Number: 150  Size: SH
  9. Install the boot into the caliper housing bore using the J-22904-A .
  10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 145  Size: SH
  11. Install the bleeder valve in the caliper body.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the bleeder valve to 13 N·m (115 lb in).

    Important: Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal until it is firm. Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder after pumping the brakes.

  13. Install the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement .