Front Caliper

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Required Tools: Caliper Piston Seal Installer (J-35777).

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.

NOTE: 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.

Remove the front brake caliper from the vehicle. See BRAKE CALIPER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove the brake caliper piston from the caliper bore by directing low pressure compressed air into the caliper bore through the fluid inlet hole.
Using a small wooden or plastic tool, remove the piston dust boot seal from the seal counterbore in the caliper and discard the boot seal. Using a small wooden or plastic tool, remove the piston seal from the caliper bore and discard the piston seal. Remove the bleeder valve and cap from the caliper. See Figure .

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

Clean the brake caliper piston bore and seal counterbore, and the caliper piston with denatured alcohol, or equivalent. Dry the caliper piston bore and counterbore, and the piston with non-lubricated, filtered air. Inspect the caliper bore for cracks, scoring, pitting, excessive rust, and/or excessive corrosion.
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. If cracks, scoring, pitting, excessive rust, and/or excessive corrosion are present in the caliper bore, replace the caliper assembly. Inspect the caliper piston for cracks, scoring, and/or damage to the chrome plating. Replace the caliper piston if any of these conditions exist.
Lubricate the new piston seal with Delco Supreme 11(R), GM P/N 12377967 or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Install the lubricated, new piston seal into the caliper bore. Install the caliper piston into the caliper bore.
Install the new piston dust boot seal over the piston. Using the Caliper Piston Seal Installer fully seat the boot in the caliper. Install the bleeder valve and cap to the caliper and tighten the valve securely. Install the caliper to the vehicle.