i need to replace my drivers front caliper but dont have the place to do it myself so i was wondering about how much you guys would think itd cost, including part, to have it replaced at a shop. and its just the single piston caliper.

thx!

 

i had a brake shop quote me at $350 something to replace the caliper. It was ridiculous considering I can buy a rebuilt caliper with a lifetime warranty for $75 and it only takes and hour to install. It doesn't take a lot of space to replace. Any driveway will do. You just need to jack one corner of the car up on jackstands. If you can change a tire, you can change your brakes

 

well dont you have to bleed the system after installing the caliper? also, my apartment complex dosnt permit "automotive maintence":-(

 

yes you do have to bleed the system. that was included in the $350

 

So... find a friend's driveway to fix it in, and buy 'em a 6 pack.

Or just do it in the parking lot anyway. I can't count how many times I've fixed things in places I shouldn't have. If anyone gives you crap about it, tell them your caliper seized up, you can't really move the car, and if *they* want to pay for the towing, you'd be happy to deal with it elsewhere. I'd put newspaper or a towel down to catch brake fluid though, it does tend to leave marks on pavement.

-=Russ=-

 

Are you stuck on having troubles trying to figure out how to bleed the break system? If so just say something and one of us will explain it. It's very easy to switch out a caliper. It took me about 5-10 min to get the old caliper off, the new caliper on, and bled the system. It's like 3 bolts for the old caliper to come off. Good luck and if you have any questions as to doing it, just post it up here.

 

i admit ive never tried to bleed a brake system. but its also a lack of tools... i kust moved from FL to Cinci, OH... so the tools i have at my disposal at this time are a philips screw driver.... a butter knife... my lighter... and a twisty tie! im sure thats plenty for micgiver to change the caliper and make an A-bomb out of! but what is required to bleed the system and how do you do it so i know... plus i might make a trip for some new shiney tools if its that easy!

 

To bleed the system, the best way is to get a little bleed bottle and hose kit from pep boys for like 8 dollars. You will also need a set of wrenches to take the caliper off.

 

Ok, these are the tools you will need. Socket wrench with 14mm and 12mm drive and an 8mm open end wrench. To bleed the system after installing the new caliper, and after connecting the break line back up... You first fill up the brake fluid resevoir in the engine bay with break fluid. Then you open one of the two little nozel with the 8mm open end. After that, you get someone to get in the car and start pumping the breaks untill you start seeing fluid come out of the nozel. Once you see fluid coming out in a steady stream tell the person who is pumping the breaks to do a thing called 1-2-3, which is pump-pump-hold and they yell "1-2-3", and when you hear 3 you close that nozel you opened. That's it, and your breaks are bled.

 

hmmm... and if im by myself? and would i need to do all four corners? also how would i stop all fluid thats in the system from coming out or should i? and if i should how much do i need to buy to replace it?

sounds like i have something to do this weekend...

 

Ok, haha just go down to any auto parts store or even gas station and pick up a bottle of break fluid. Just get enough for how much you'll need to bleed. You don't need to do all 4 corners. The fluid in the system only stops when you're not stepping on the breaks. Sorry buy you need 2 people to do this, unless Gene's idea with the Pep boys bleed bottle allows you to do it by yourself. Good luck.

 

thanks for the info man! if anyone could tell me the specifics of the one person bleed bottles itd be cool!

 

I think the bleed bottle has a one way valve in it. You can also get speedbleeders that replace the bleed screws. These have a one-way valve built in.

 

The little bottle works. I bled my brakes by myself - not a problem. You attach it, open the bleeder a bit, press the pedal down. It squirts fluid through the hose into the bottle, and since it's attached, if there's any backflow when the pedal is released, it's just sucking brake fluid back in.

-=Russ=-