Matt H Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Can anyone recommend a 'first timers' guide to safety and properly removing brake calipers that may exist on the net? I want to change the colour of mine and have them sand blasted before hand. I've never done anything brake wise before so want to read up on it using something informative and easy to follow Ta Matt P.s, ive been watching this, but wondering if there's anything else someone might say was better? http://www.ehow.com/video_2327158_remove-brake-calipers-car.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraHuman Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Wheel off,then undo the 2 bolts holding the caliper to the bracket and Voila,you're done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Wheel off,then undo the 2 bolts holding the caliper to the bracket and Voila,you're done. What abot the hose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 This is a real PITA of a job to do at home. I had a nightmare of a time loosening off the caliper bolts. If you can, I would advise taking the car to a garage to have them loosened off and then tightened up a little less so that they can be removed from the ground. Obviously this sounds dangerous in a normal situation but you can tighten them a fair bit with a 12" ratchet, certainly enough to get you home taking it easy. Get the car on axle stands with all 4 wheels removed. Loosen off the caliper bolts that have been previously loosened at a garage (See alternative method) Clamp the brake line if you have clamps, if not you will need to bleed the whole system once finished). Loosen off the brake line at the back of the caliper (brake fluid will drip out, bit messy so be wary of paint etc) Remove caliper, you may need to ease the caliper off of the brake disc. Do this with care as you don't want to damage the pads or the disc. Do with all 4 corners. Alternative method: This is what I had to do, its hairy as hell and a total PITA. I used a VERY good Bahco socket and its grip is pretty much in bits. I used a trolley jack to lever the socket up to loosen off the caliper bolts. It would eventually crack off with a bit of a bang, scary stuff and I don't recommend you do it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraHuman Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 What abot the hose? Undo that as well Matt ,joined just before the wheel arch or you can undo it on the caliper.I assume you're taking the caliper away to get painted?(Not a in situ job?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_d Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 use brake clamps on the lines. to undo the bolts holding the caliper on, I find a long bar on a socket works well if needed. You will need to bleed the brakes after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 to undo the bolts holding the caliper on, I find a long bar on a socket works well if needed. always worked for me with motor on axle stands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTRickeh Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I don't think clamping the hose is a good idea if you have braided lines is it? My rear calipers came off easy enough, just two bolts and the hose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I don't think clamping the hose is a good idea if you have braided lines is it? My rear calipers came off easy enough, just two bolts and the hose... Well said that man, clamp those braided lines and they may well need replacing, just take em off and re bleed the brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 use brake clamps on the lines. to undo the bolts holding the caliper on, I find a long bar on a socket works well if needed. You will need to bleed the brakes after. Where do you get the leverage from though? You can't get any length due to the restriction of the ground or the inner wheel arch. If the car is on a ramp it is a piece of piss. The problem is the lack of room, not the lack of leverage. Sorry I should have said that. If the lines are braided don't use the clamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Decent ring spanner and a deadblow hammer;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraHuman Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Decent ring spanner and a deadblow hammer;) Hear ye hear ye,works everytime,and a sip of WD40 if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Is that the heavy rubber feckers? Tried that, did nothing. Mine were seriously on there. I was lifting the entire corner weight of the car on my ratchet with the jack and even then I had to jump on it to get it to break its hold. The rears weren't anywhere near as bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraHuman Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Is that the heavy rubber feckers? Tried that, did nothing. Mine were seriously on there. I was lifting the entire corner weight of the car on my ratchet with the jack and even then I had to jump on it to get it to break its hold. The rears weren't anywhere near as bad. I use a big bastard nylon mallet and ring spanner.Just go medival,it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Thanks guys. I'll be bleeding the entire system then as I don't want to damage the hoses with clamps. So I quess it's a case of seeing If I can get them off first. Shouldn't be too bad as they've been off recently while I've been having all this work done. Yes, I'll be taking the calipers away for sand blasting and then painting. I want the calipers black, with the 'AP Racing' logo in silver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecoup Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 if doing the fronts turn the steering so you can get a big bar on them clearing the wheel arches, you can get extra long extra thick ring spanners to do such jobs as the rears as leverage can be a problem, just make sure it is secure on axle stands etc before going to leary leavering stuff about not sure what brakes you got but won't you want the mounts off for painting too ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackso11 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Stare at the bolt for a few seconds to warm it up, then pinch it with thumb and forefinger and give it a little spin. It usually comes spinning out easily when I do it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Thanks guys. I'll be bleeding the entire system then as I don't want to damage the hoses with clamps. So I quess it's a case of seeing If I can get them off first. Shouldn't be too bad as they've been off recently while I've been having all this work done. Yes, I'll be taking the calipers away for sand blasting and then painting. I want the calipers black, with the 'AP Racing' logo in silver Since the thread got resurrected... If it's an AP calliper, it'll be attached to the bracket with 2 cap head bolts on the top of the calliper, not the back - completely different to the factory callipers and much easier to to work with. If it's _not_ an AP calliper...why stick the AP logo on there???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 After reading this thread my best advice is to get someone that knows what their doing to do your brakes. Including removing them and refitting them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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