first timer here, front brake calipers

[abbywolf]

hi all,

brand new here and brand new at working on cars, anyhow, i have a 92 festiva with broken front brake calipers, i ordered some new ones and am planning to install them tomorrow. was just trying to figure out how to take the old ones off. I took out the slider bolts and pulled the caliper off the rotor I then began unbolting the 12mm bolt that the brake line runs through, it began leaking, is this ok? Even if I take that 12mm bolt out the brake line continues until it takes a sharp turn into the caliper. Anyways sorry for the ramble I guess my question is how to disconnect the caliper from the brake line and how to reconnect the new calipers. Also how do I bleed the brakes once I get them on?

Thanks so much, Abby

[jglutz]

The end of the brake line where it enters the caliper is called a banjo fitting.
Once the bolt is loose....the 'block' at the end of the hose will swivel. This swivel action allows the hose to be attched to the caliper with out stress. To answer you question the leakig is normal

Once the bolt is out, between the block and the caliper is a small copper washer. This washer, when re-installed must be clean and flat. It can be cleaned up by rubbing it back and forth on a piece of fine emmery paper. Or you can buy new ones at any auto parts store.

Also, once the brake line is disconnected, cover it with a small sandwich bag or the like and hang it up in the wheel well with a piece of wire to prevent the brake reservoir from draining out.

On the new capiper, make sure the the piston is pressed all the way in.

Install the new calliper, brake pads and slider bolts.

Re-connect the brake line to the caliper. Make sure all of the parts are clean and free of grime.

Bleeding the brakes. Make sure the brake reservoir is full with brake fluid.
Locate the bleeder screw on the back of the caliper.

Have a partner sit in the car. When you say down....they will press the brake pedal down at a rate taking 3-4 seconds to get the pedal all the way down. When they are down they will tell you they are down.

While the are pressing the pedal down, you will loosen the bleeder screw, between a 1/4 and 1/2 turn. When they say down, you will immediately tighten the screw. You say up and they let the pedal up, no special rate, just up, and they will tell you up when they are up.

Continue to repeat this down/up process. Each time the bleeder screw is loosened, down stroke, you are bleeding the air out of the brake system and allowing brake fluid to fill the new caliper. On the first couple of down strokes, mostly air will come out of the screw. On the next several downs, a mix of brake fluid and air will come out. Then mostly brake fluid. After several downs of just brake fluid only, no air, the bleeding process is complete.

Every 3-4 downs, check the reservoir and top off as necessary

On the end of the bleeder screw, you can attach a small clear hose to redirect the flow and controll the mess.

When you are done, be sure to remove all of the excess brake fluid.

Do one side of the car at a time.

Best of luck and welcome to the site!

TO ALL: I realize there are many other methods and tricks for bleeding....I felt this is the simplist for someone who has not done it before.

[elcamino1]

You might want to change your brake fluid while your at it,you'll just have to bleed all your brakes,thats something most people never do.

[abbywolf]

doesn't sound to hard, thanks for the help