Bleeding brakes and replacing calipers, how-to

4.0 Beast · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 05:43 PM

Anyone have a guide on how to replace all 4 calipers and bleed the brakes? Is it as simple as unbolting the 1 bolt that holds the brake hose to the caliper and voila, caliper changed? Or am I missing something here.... and i dont really know how to bleed the brakes either.

im assuming when i unbolt that bolt, brake fluid is going to leak everywhere.

97 XLT AWD (4 wheel disc brakes)

steve(ill) · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 08:34 AM

this is a video to the right of your post showing how to do brakes. your on the right path, but not as simple as you say. the "bolt" as you say is a banjo fitting with copper washers on both sides as seals. that allows the tube to be rotated for different trucks. next to the hose there is a smaller blead screw about 3/8 inch hex head. you loosen it up to blead out the oil. it is common to change out the oil, and install new brake pads. it is not as common to replace the caliper/ pistons. are you sure that needs done?

68 351 bronc · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 12:08 PM

Calipers NEED replaced if they leak. Otherwise should outlast several sets of pads. When they start to leak it's usually very slow, you won't just be driving down the road and loose your brakes.

Doing the brake job yourself you can get a BETTER job than you will get at most brake shops.

The pistons put pressure on one pad while the caliper slides in the mounting bracket to put pressure on the opposite pad. The rust and dust must be cleaned from the sliding surfaces with a wire brush and a light coating of ANTI SIEZE applied. Most shops will never spend the time to thoroughly clean all the parts before reassembly.

4.0 Beast · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 02:53 PM

i just know that the calipers themselves are super rusty and some edges are bent/warped. the things are in really bad shape, especially the rear ones. Some of the sides have rusted metal just flaking off. They aren't too expensive to replace i noticed....i'll take a look at that video, i didn't even see it before.

chey1012 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 07:48 AM

When I hit the brakes the truck is shaking a little, more so when going a high rate of speed. One mechanic said that the calipers need to be cleaned . Should I replace the brake pads also and how do I do this.

99Xplr · #6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 11:52 AM

Chey1012... we need a little more information about your truck. What year is it?
How things come apart vary depending on the year.... i.e. 91 - 94 is WAY different from 95-Present.
If you have a brake pulsation like that, it might be warped rotors... do you feel the vibration in the steering wheel? If you feel it in the wheel, then it's the fronts... if not then it's probably the rears. Let us know so we can point you in the right direction. Remember, if you replace 1 rotor, replace the other.... always do things in pairs when it comes to the brakes.

chey1012 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 07:59 AM

My truck is a 2006 F150 super crew

ltng7679 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 11:20 AM

I did the job on my '98 about a year ago. I had to replace the front caliper because it was sticking. I tried to rebuild it myself but could not get the seals to fit right so I just went and got a rebuilt unit from a local autoparts store. I replaced the hoses on the front and one rear. I still have to do the left rear since it was frozen and I needed the truck. The other major problem I saw that I have to address is the brake line that runs along the front axle is very rusty. I'm afraid it will break one of these days. I'm going to replace it when I fix the intake manifold water leak soon. I figure I'll have the radiator out and have better access to snake the new tube in.