Changing Calipers

[hywy61]

How hard a job is it to swap out the calipers? Or How hard is it to just use a re-build kit to change out the seals only. I have never done either and don't want to screw up a rebuild.

Shop manual says to clamp the brake hose? I saw another trick where they placed a plastic bag over the reservoir and the cap back on to keep the fluid from coming out when you undo the hose.

Haven't ever done this so i'd like to know what i am in for.

Thanks.

2000 Discovery 2

 

[MM3846]

Very easy. I've never bought a rebuild kit, just new/reman calipers.

- Remove wheel
- Remove brake line
- Remove caliper
- Install new caliper
- Install brake line
- Bleed caliper

I usually just let the hose dangle and let the fluid drip out if I can swap it fast enough. Otherwise I zip tie a ziplock bag to the end to catch it.

 

[fishEH]

There's nothing overly complicated with replacement or rebuild.
I've rebuilt a few but I usually split the caliper halves to do. Some will say that's no good but I haven't had any issues. Each piston has a sealing ring, a wiper ring, and a metal retaining ring. If your pistons are pitted you'll need new ones and by the time you buy all that it might be cheaper to just get remanned calipers.

I will push the brake pedal about halfway down and hold it there with a stick. I've had good luck minimizing fluid loss this way.

Wait, you've got a D2? I wasn't aware there were rebuild kits for them. Pretty much scratch what I said above.

 

[acg]

Pretty easy. Go to Youtube and search for the Atlantic British step-by-step videos. There is one on changing the brake pads, rotors and calipers.

 

[scottsdalerrc]

it really isnt bad at all with some basic hand tools. Be sure to clamp your flex lines before breaking loose the fitting on the caliper. If you dont have line clamps, you can get away with vice grips but use a thick rag on the line to prevent damage.

And be sure to bleed the system when you're done. i'm not sure the bleed procedure for a d2, but we use the good old, guy in driver seat, guy working bleed valve on caliper.

Good luck!

 

[hywy61]

What about swapping out the brake lines at the same time? I have 125K on the truck so they are probably due. How much harder is it to do those too? any tricks to that?

 

[hywy61]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdwCCZ43heE

Decent video here.

Not sure though how much fluid is going to come out when swapping those hoses? Video didn't mention needing to do anything to prevent that etc.

From searches here it appears not that much.

I have been using Valvoline synthetic DOT 4 and plan on swapping that out with Castrol DOT 4. I didn't have any problems for many years but wondering if the synthetic has contributed to my sticking caliper. I don't have testbook and plan on using the pump, pump, pump hold pedal open bleeder method with my son at the controls.

Just trying to fill in the gaps here before i head down this path.

Thanks.