Brake Caliper Replacement Summary

Is Replacing a Brake Caliper Hard? Replacing a brake caliper on most vehicle models is pretty much a straightforward repair. You can do this project at home using some common tools. Still, specially if your car comes with an ABS system, you need to take certain precautions.

To remove a caliper piston that has become seized, the hydraulic pressure of the brake system itself can be used. Remove the caliper from the disc, and pump the brake pedal to move the piston past the corroded portion. Now you should be able to disassemble and rebuild it.

1. Remove the tire.
2. Remove caliper mounting bolts.
3. Remove brake flex line.
4. Lift the caliper from the brake pads.
5. Match the old caliper to the new one.
6. Reinstall caliper onto the brake pads.
7. Reinstall caliper mounting bolts.
8. Bleed the system.

Can you replace just one brake caliper? You can, but you probably shouldn’t. In some cases, you can replace just one brake caliper, but if possible, it is always best to replace brake calipers in pairs. Brake calipers are crucial to the functioning of your car.

Calipers are easy enough to change, but again you need the correct torque settings. Finally, bleeding is OK, but you need a buddy to do it with. If you have the right tools, floor jack (or lift), it should be about a 3-4 hours job to replace the calipers if nothing goes wrong.

The average cost for brake caliper replacement is between $861 and $896. Labor costs are estimated between $132 and $167 while parts are priced at $729. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Here’s how you can tell if your brake caliper has gone bad:

1. Pulling to one side. A seized brake caliper or caliper sliders can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or the other while braking.
2. Fluid leaks.
3. Spongy or soft brake pedal.
4. Reduced braking ability.
5. Uneven brake pad wear.
6. Dragging sensation.
7. Abnormal noise.

Unusual Noises, Smells, or Pulling When one caliper works and another doesn’t, your vehicle will jerk to one side as you attempt to slow down or come to a complete stop. Squealing, grinding, and metallic scraping noises while braking are all signs that your brake pads are probably worn thin.

You definitely need to bleed the one caliper, if you fix it then you’re set, if not then try all four. Should be easy! They’re independent, but when bleeding you should generally go from the caliper furthest from the master cylinder to the nearest.

Start by safely supporting the vehicle on jack stands and attempting to turn the wheel/tire assembly by hand. If the wheel is hard to turn, you may have a caliper that’s sticking and pushing the pads against the rotor. You can also check the caliper piston by trying to push it back into its bore.

A leading cause for damaged calipers, however, stems from driving a vehicle on worn-out pads or warped rotors. If the pads fail to insulate the caliper from excessive heat, the piston can be damaged or the heat can be passed through the piston to the brake fluid, which can cause it to degrade.

Are brake lines universal? Yes, brake lines are universal. As long as the brake lines for your vehicle have the proper sized fitting for attachment and the length is correct, the material is universal.

Brake Line Replacement Cost The average cost of brake line parts is around $30-50. And on average, brake line replacements can cost anywhere between $150-$200, including labor cost. However, the actual costs will vary by: Vehicle make — usually, the more expensive the model, the more expensive the replacement parts.