Lift the car high enough to slide a jack stand underneath the frame. Slowly lower the car onto the jack stand. Remove the jack to leave the car resting on the stand.
When all the lug nuts are removed, pull the tire gently toward you. Set the wheel aside with the lug nuts.
Do not disconnect the caliper from the brake line. Be careful not to crimp or damage the brake hose connected to the caliper. Place the caliper on a box or inverted bucket.
Use a stiff wire brush to remove any rust or built up grime on the caliper’s metal parts. Do not brush the rubber casing around the caliper pistons or they may be damaged. Dip the brush in mineral spirits or gasoline as a solvent to aid the cleaning process. [4] X Research source Spray brake cleaner on the caliper to remove the bits loosened by the wire brush. Sand the metal parts of the caliper with a 150-200 grit sandpaper. Make sure to get all the bends and groves around the caliper. Give the caliper another cleaning with the spray on brake cleaner. Use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to clean the calipers one final time.
Tape the rubber protectors around the caliper pistons. Wrap the brake rotor in newspaper to protect it from paint Cover the panels around the wheel with paper so you don’t get paint on the car.
Specialty caliper paints can be purchased from auto parts stores. Purchase a heat tolerant spray paint from your local hardware store. Make sure the paint is designed for use on metals.
Shake the can and follow the label directions on the paint can. Spray short bursts, not a continuous stream of paint. Move the can from side to side as you spray. Wait 5 minutes between coats of paint. Spray 3 to 4 coats on the top side of the caliper.
Repeat the painting process on the opposite side of the caliper Be gentle when turning the caliper so you don’t twist the brake line. You do not need to paint the inner portion of the caliper as this isn’t seen and may affect the performance of your brakes.
Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston to position the brake pads properly. Bolt the caliper back in place around the brake rotor. Place the caliper back around the rotor and replace the bolts that you removed to take the caliper off. Make sure the bolts are tight to securely reassemble your brake system. Important:Take care not to twist or crimp the brake line.
Hand tighten the lug nuts onto the bolts. Use a tire iron or an air gun to tighten the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern alternating sides rather than in a circular pattern.
Remove the jack stand. Lower the car to the ground. Double check that your lug nuts are securely tightened.
Alternatively, if you want to replace an old brake caliper with a new one, you should remove it from the axle to do that. [6] X Research source Take out the bolts and remove the caliper from the caliper bracket. [7] X Research source While replacing it, run a brake flush through the system to ensure the pressure is consistent.
