GM 18046196
Caliper, Front Driver Side

When inspecting brake fluid levels, check if the reservoir is midway between max and min lines because this indicates no fluid needs touching except when exceeding the midway mark during fluid level reduction. Place the vehicle on stands and take off the tire and wheel parts. Secure the large c-clamp across the brake caliper with your ends touching the caliper backside and outer Brake Pad surface until the caliper piston moves beyond the brake rotor. Untighten the c-clamp before disconnecting the brake hose from the caliper bolt and eliminating both copper brake hose gaskets that may adhere to the caliper or hose end. Before removing the brake caliper, seal its openings to keep fluid inside and clean and unscrew the two brake caliper bolts (1, 2). You should clean and dry brake caliper pin bolts and retainers with denatured alcohol and filtered air that does not contain lubricant. Put high temperature silicone brake lubricant only on the pin bolts and retainers while keeping the Brake Pad parts clean from lubrication. Adjust the brake caliper over the pads into its bracket before tightening the brake caliper pin bolts (1, 2) at 85 nm (63 ft. Lbs). Secure new copper brake gaskets onto the brake hose bolt assembly before attaching it to the caliper and tightening it to 45 nm pressure. Unlock the brake system pressure by pushing the brake pedal to two-thirds depth while the engine stays off then release it slowly. Apply the brake pedal for 15 seconds then stop while holding the pads and pistons in place for the right installation. Return the tire and wheel parts before bringing the vehicle back down.

Start by checking the brake master cylinder reservoir fluid level when working on the front brake caliper replacement. A midway point between maximum and minimum fluid levels requires no removal of fluid but higher levels require reducing to this midpoint. Start by hoisting and supporting the vehicle before taking out the tire wheel assembly. Hand tighten two wheel lug nuts on the rotor to hold it in place on the hub. Secure the brake caliper using a large c-clamp that pushes the caliper piston to compress until it passes the brake rotor. Position the clamp ends against the caliper body and outer Brake Pad while tightening. Take out the c-clamp before removing the brake hose attached to the caliper bolt. Discard the copper brake hose gaskets and use plugging material to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Take the caliper pin bolts out while remembering their original positions then detach the caliper from its caliper bracket . Check the caliper pin bolt boots for damage by evaluating them for cuts, tears and deterioration and replace any affected parts. Make sure to clean brake caliper pin bolts with a shop towel before applying niglube grease on them but keep the Brake Pad hardware free of lubrication. Set the brake caliper over the brake pads into its place on the Brake Caliper Bracket then fasten it with caliper pin bolts by torquing them to 85 nm (63 ft. Lbs.). Bolt the brake hose through new copper gaskets to the caliper before tightening to 45 nm (33 ft. Lbs.). Back up the braking unit through pedal input reaching 213 out of total possible movement then ease the pressure and repeat this method until pedal feel becomes firm. After removing the wheel lug nuts, attach the tire and wheel assembly and drop the vehicle.

Inspect brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir first because small changes below the maximum-full mark do not require fluid removal. Lift the car and take off both wheel and tire components. A c-clamp needs fitting over the caliper with its ends pointed towards the back of the caliper body and the outer Brake Pad. Tighten the clamp until the caliper piston fits past the brake rotor. Unclamp the c device while undoing the hose to bolt connection at the caliper. Do not reuse the two copper gaskets on the brake hose ends because they may adhere to the caliper and brake hose. Before removal seal any brake caliper and pipe openings to keep fluid inside and clean, then unscrew the brake caliper pin bolts (1, 2) to take out the unit. For reused caliper pin bolts and retainers use denatured alcohol for cleaning before blowing dry with non-oiled filtered air. Use high temperature silicone brake lubricant on the brake caliper pin bolts and retainers but keep it away from Brake Pad hardware when you put the brake caliper in position above the brake pads. Secure the brake caliper pin bolts (1, 2) to a torque of 85 nm (63 ft. Lbs.) while replacing brake hose gasket when installing the copper parts. Secure the brake hose bolt onto the brake caliper using the gaskets and tighten it to 45 nm force (33 ft. Lbs. Torque). Before starting the vehicle bleed the brake system by pushing the brake pedal to 2/3 range while off and slowly letting go before beginning again till you reach a solid brake pedal feel to appropriately position the caliper and brake pads. Use the finished unit to reattach the wheel and tire before putting the car back on the ground.

Beginning the brake caliper replacement starts with checking the brake master cylinder fluid level. If the level rests above the middle point between top and minimum marks, drain brake fluid until it reaches the middle. First raise the vehicle then take off its tire and wheel set. Place a big c-clamp on the brake caliper body between its back and outer Brake Pad. Squeeze the clamp till the caliper piston moves past the brake rotor by compressing. Remove the c-clamp as you detach the brake hose at the caliper bolt to get rid of both copper gaskets and seal the openings using plugs to stop fluid loss and contamination. Loosen the brake caliper pin bolts (1, 2) and take the brake caliper off. Before using the brake caliper pin bolts and retainers again wipe them with denatured alcohol then blow them dry using filtered non-lubricated air. Put silicone brake lubricant only on the brake caliper pin bolts and retainers while keeping the Brake Pad parts free from the liquid. Place the brake caliper over the pads in the bracket before you insert and fasten the brake caliper pins (1, 2) at 85 nm (63 ft. Lbs.). Attach the brake hose bolt using new copper brake hose gaskets and secure it to the brake caliper at 45 nm torque setting (33 ft. Lbs.). Use your finger to press the Brake Pedal slowly to two-thirds of its range when the engine is off and let it back to its resting position. Keep pressing the Brake Pedal for 15 seconds followed by releases while you verify that your brakes function properly after each pedal cycle. This procedure ensures that brake caliper pistons and pads sit correctly in place. Reposition the tire and wheel assembly back into the vehicle then lower it.

The first step when replacing a front brake caliper involves checking the brake master cylinder reservoir fluid level; lower the fluid if it exceeds the midway point between maximum and minimum. To determine the fluid level remove excess fluid until the point reaches midway between maximum-full and minimum allowable markings. Support the vehicle first and then mark the wheel-to-axle relationship. Afterward remove the tire and wheel ensemble. The process begins with hand-tightening two wheel lug nuts to keep the rotor attached to the hub. Next, use a large c-clamp positioned over the brake caliper until the caliper piston can move past the brake rotor due to compression. After removing the c-clamp, use a wrench to unscrew the brake caliper inlet fitting bolt before discarding two copper brake hose gaskets and plugging the openings with material to stop fluid from escaping. The upgrade process begins with switching first design hardware to second design hardware through new caliper pin bolt installation followed by disconnecting brake caliper pin bolts and removing the caliper itself. The brake caliper pin bolts and retainers need cleaning with denatured alcohol before non-lubricated filtered air dries them. High temperature silicone brake lubricant should be applied to first design hardware while niglube grease should be used on second design hardware on the brake caliper pin bolts but avoid Brake Pad hardware areas. Fit the brake caliper over the brake pads into the bracket to protrude the upper caliper pin bolt with a bushing and maintain the lower pin solid. Install the brake hose bolt with new copper brake hose gaskets before tightening the inlet fitting bolt to 45 nm (33 ft. Lbs.). Before installation, tighten the brake caliper pin bolts to 85 nm (63 ft. Lbs.). Standard brake system bleeding requires pressing the brake pedal once to 2/3 of its total extent while engine power is off followed by slow pedal release before repeating until the pedal feels tight. To finish the installation remove the rear wheels' lug nuts then install the tire wheel assembly before lowering the vehicle.

Reinstall the tire and wheel assembly and lower the vehicle.

Install the brake caliper back onto the vehicle and check for leaks during the hydraulic brake system bleeding procedure.

Carefully reposition the park brake actuator lever return spring.

Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.

Clean them with denatured alcohol or an equivalent, and dry them with non-lubricated, filtered air.

Reinstall the tire and wheel assembly and lower the vehicle.

Exercise caution to avoid placing fingers in front of the piston while applying compressed air, as this may cause serious injury.

Lubricate the brake caliper pin bolts with a thin coat of high-temperature silicone lube.

Detach the brake hose to caliper bolt and discard the two copper brake hose gaskets, plugging the openings to prevent fluid loss and contamination.

Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir; if it is above the midway point between the maximum-full and minimum allowable levels, remove fluid to that midway point.

Tighten it to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.) with new gaskets.

Reduce it to the midway point.

Pad the interior of the caliper housing again and cover the open caliper bore with another 25 mm (1 inch) block of wood before removing the second piston.

Raise and support the vehicle, then remove the tire and wheel assembly.

Ensure not to exceed 1 mm (0.039 inch) of piston travel to avoid damaging the internal adjusting mechanism.

Use a large C-clamp over the caliper housing against the back of the outboard pad to compress the caliper piston into the caliper bore.

Clean the sleeves of the brake caliper retainers if reusing them, lubricate the brake caliper pin bolts with high temperature silicone lube, and install the brake caliper onto the upper caliper pin bolt.

Gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance with the engine off, then slowly release it. Wait 15 seconds and repeat until a firm brake pedal is obtained.

Apply THREADLOCKER, GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), to the threads of the caliper bracket bolts.

First, remove the caliper from the mounting bracket while supporting it with heavy mechanic's wire or an equivalent tool, ensuring the hydraulic flexible brake hose remains connected.

Install the caliper.

Take out the brake hose-to-caliper bolt and discard the 2 copper brake hose gaskets. Plug the opening in the front brake hose to prevent excessive fluid loss.

Install the brake hose bolt and tighten it to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).

Use the Caliper Piston Seal Installer (J 35777) to fully seat the caliper piston seal into the counterbore.

Use low pressure compressed air to extract the piston from the caliper bore through the fluid inlet hole.

Install the bleeder valve and cap, tightening the valve securely.

Tighten them to 44 Nm (32 ft. lbs.).

Install the caliper piston and the new piston dust boot seal, using the Brake Caliper Piston Boot Seal Installer (J 45515) to fully seat the seal, and then reinstall the brake caliper onto the vehicle.

Install the tire and wheel assembly and lower the vehicle.

Avoid placing fingers in front of the piston while applying low pressure compressed air into the caliper inlet hole.