Front Brake Caliper Overhaul Without RPO LNF

Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning in the Preface section.

Warning: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Warning in the Preface section.

1. Remove the brake caliper from the vehicle. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement.

Warning: Do not place fingers in front of the caliper piston(s) in an attempt to catch or protect it when applying compressed air. The piston(s) can fly out with force and could result in serious bodily injury.

Caution: Use clean cloths to pad interior of caliper housing during piston removal. Use just enough air to ease the pistons out of the bores. If the pistons are blown out, even with the padding provided, it may be damaged.

2. Remove the brake caliper piston from the caliper bore by directing low pressure compressed air into the caliper bore through the fluid inlet hole.



3. Remove the retaining ring that secures the dust boot to the caliper housing.



4. Remove the piston dust boot seal (2) from the seal counterbore in the caliper (5). Discard the boot seal.
5. Using a small wooden or plastic tool, remove the piston seal (4) from the caliper bore. Discard the piston seal.
6. Remove the bleeder valve cap (6).
7. Remove the bleeder valve (7).

Note: Do not use abrasives to clean the brake caliper piston.

8. Inspect the caliper bore for cracks, scoring, pitting, excessive rust, and/or excessive corrosion.
9. Clean the brake caliper piston bore and seal counterbore, and the caliper piston with denatured alcohol, or equivalent.
10. Dry the caliper piston bore and counterbore, and the piston with non-lubricated, filtered, compressed air.
11. If light rust or light corrosion are present in the caliper bore, attempt to remove the imperfection with a fine emery paper. If the imperfection cannot be removed, replace the caliper assembly.
12. If cracks, scoring, pitting, excessive rust, and/or excessive corrosion are present in the caliper bore, replace the caliper assembly.
13. Inspect the caliper piston for cracks, scoring, and/or damage to the plating. Replace the caliper piston if any of these conditions exist.

1. Lubricate the new piston seal (4) with GM approved, or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
2. Install the lubricated, new piston seal (4)  into the caliper bore.
3. Apply a thin coat of GM approved, or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container onto the outer surface area of the caliper piston (3).



4. Install the bottom half of the caliper piston (2) into the caliper bore.
5. Install the new piston dust boot seal (1) over the caliper piston (2).
6. Compress the caliper piston (2) to the bottom of the caliper bore.
7. Fully seat the piston dust boot seal (1) into caliper counterbore.



8. Install the retaining ring that secures the dust boot to the caliper housing.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

9. Install the bleeder valve to the caliper.

Tighten
Tighten the brake bleeder valve to 11 N·m (97 lb in).

10. Install the bleeder valve cap.
11. Install the brake caliper to the vehicle. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement.

Front Brake Caliper Overhaul With RPO LNF

Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning in the Preface section.

Warning: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Warning in the Preface section.

Caution: This brake caliper is coated with a specialized paint. Use care when handling and servicing to ensure the paint does not get chipped or scratched. Clean any brake fluid from painted surfaces with denatured alcohol, or equivalent, as soon as possible.

Caution: Do not remove the caliper external crossover tube or separate the 2 caliper halves. If the crossover tube and/or the caliper halves are separated, corrosion and damage to the caliper may result.

Note: 

Warning: Verify that the lower (small) O-ring of each injector does not remain in the lower manifold in order to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury.

Caution: Use clean cloths to pad interior of caliper housing during piston removal. Use just enough air to ease the pistons out of the bores. If the pistons are blown out, even with the padding provided, it may be damaged.

Note: It will be necessary to fabricate one or more blocks of wood to the following dimensions to be used during this procedure:

1. Remove the brake caliper from the vehicle. Refer to  Front Brake Caliper Replacement .
2. Drain the brake fluid from the brake caliper.
3. Place the caliper in a vise using plastic vise caps or suitable material to protect the caliper mounting bosses from the vise jaws.



4. Place an old brake pad or the fabricated 127 mm (5 in) long block of wood over 2 adjoining piston bores and secure in place with a non-marring C-clamp.
5. Place the fabricated 51 mm (2 in) long block of wood over one of the opposing piston bores and secure it in place with a non-marring C-clamp.
6. Use clean cloths or the other fabricated 127 mm (5 in) long block of wood to pad the interior of caliper housing during removal of the piston.
7. Carefully remove the brake caliper piston by directing low pressure compressed air into the brake caliper inlet hole. If the dust boot seal slides out with the piston, remove the dust boot seal from piston and reinstall the seal into the caliper.
8. Move the fabricated 51 mm (2 in) long block of wood over the emptied piston bore and secure it in place with a non-marring C-clamp.
9. Move the clean cloths or the other fabricated 127 mm (5 in) long block of wood to pad the interior of caliper housing during the removal of the piston.
10. Carefully remove the brake caliper piston by directing low pressure compressed air into the brake caliper inlet hole. If the dust boot seal slides out with the piston, remove the dust boot seal from piston and reinstall the seal into the caliper.
11. Repeat steps 4 through 10 for the opposite side of the caliper.



12. Using care to not scratch or mar the painted surfaces or piston bore, remove all the dust boot seals using a flat-bladed tool. Discard the dust boot seals.



13. Using wooden or plastic tool, remove the piston seals (5) from the piston bores. Discard the piston seals.
14. Remove both brake caliper bleeder caps and valves (1, 2).
15. Remove the caliper from the vise and clean the entire caliper with denatured alcohol, or equivalent.
16. Dry the caliper piston bores with non-lubricated filtered air. Make sure the external crossover pipe and the internal fluid ports are clean and free of obstructions.
17. Inspect the caliper cylinder bores and piston seal counter-bores for scratches, cracks, pitting, and/or corrosion.

Note: Do NOT clean the caliper piston bores by honing or cleaning with abrasives.

18. If the caliper piston bores are scratched, cracked, or pitted, or if corrosion cannot be cleaned with denatured alcohol, replace the caliper assembly.

1. Install the new piston dust boot seals (3) over the pistons (4). Make sure the dust boot seal is properly seated on the piston, in the dust boot seal groove.
2. Lubricate the new piston seals (5) with Delco Supreme 11®, GM P/N 12377967 (Canadian P/N 992667) or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
3. Install the lubricated, new piston seals (5) into the brake caliper bore seal grooves. Make sure the seals are not twisted.
4. Apply a thin coat of Delco Supreme 11®, GM P/N 12377967 (Canadian P/N 992667)  or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container, onto the caliper piston bores and the outer surface of the caliper pistons.
5. Install the piston and dust boot assemblies into the correct caliper bores. Press the pistons and dust boot seals all the way in by hand.
6. Place a clean old brake pad or the fabricated 127 mm (5 in) long block of wood over 2 adjoining piston bores and apply light pressure with non-marring C-clamp. This will ensure the dust boots and pistons are fully seated into the caliper.
7. Repeat step 6 for the opposite pistons.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

8. Install the brake caliper bleeder valves (2).

Tighten
Tighten the valves to 14 N·m (124 lb in).

9. Install the brake caliper bleeder valve caps (1).
10. Install the caliper to the vehicle. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement.