Parts Reminder List
BASIC SERVICE- New pads/linings.
- New/fresh brake fluid.
- High temperature caliper slide lubricant.
IF NEEDED BY INSPECTION
- New or rebuilt calipers
- Brake line attachment washers (4)
- Caliper overhaul kit
- New rotors
OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
- Anti-squeal insulator or coating.
- Aerosol brake cleaner
DESCRIPTIONS
Pads/Linings
- Closely compare new pads with old pads, size and shape should be exactly the same.
- Transfer all hardware (spring clips and silencer pads) to new pads. If any hardware is damaged, replace with new hardware.
Brake Fluid
- Proper bleeding and flushing of the brake system will require a minimum of 16 oz of brake fluid.
- Never mix DOT 3 (light amber in color) with DOT 5 (purple in color). There have been reports of damage to brake system seals when DOT 3 and DOT 5 fluids are mixed.
- Always store brake fluid in a sealed container. When left open, brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air. This reduces the boiling point of the brake fluid and could lead to a soft pedal or brake system failure during prolonged or emergency braking.
- Never add automatic transmission fluid, engine oil, or power steering fluid to the master-cylinder. Petroleum based fluids will cause the rubber seals and gaskets in the brake system to swell and leak.
High Temperature Caliper Slide Grease
- Special "High Temperature" grease is required to lubricate the caliper slide points. Failure to clean and lubricate the caliper slides can result in sticking calipers, brake drag, and premature wear of the new brake linings.
Disc Brake Mechanical Force Diagram:
NOTE: Floating calipers require free and unrestricted movement on the caliper mounting. Floating or sliding calipers have pistons only on one side of the rotor. The first part of the piston's travel forces the inner pad against the rotor, then further travel forces the movable part of the caliper to pull the outer pad against the rotor.
- During normal braking action, localized pad and caliper temperatures can easily exceed 300 ° F. Normal wheel bearing or lithium based grease will rapidly melt and contaminate the pads/linings and rotor.
New Or Rebuilt Calipers
- Closely compare new calipers with the old calipers. The calipers should match exactly.
- If the new calipers come with mounting bolts, check to see that they are the exact length and thread size as the old mounting bolts. Mounting bolts which are too long may contact the rotor and cause a grinding sound. Metric thread mounting bolts are sometimes mistakenly included with the new caliper when the original caliper used standard thread mounting bolts.
- Verify that the new (or rebuilt) calipers come with new washers and bleeder screws.
Caliper Overhaul Kits
- Overhaul kits should come in "Unopened" or "Sealed" boxes. Upon purchase, immediately compare the parts list with the contents of the box.
- Overhaul kits will often come with optional parts. These parts are included in order to cover a wide range of applications. Closely examine the new seals and use only the ones which match the original parts.
Brake Line Attachment Washers
- These washers are used to seal the brake line hydraulic connection at the caliper. Two washers are used on each caliper, one under the brake line connection, and one over the connection.
- Never re-use these washers. The washers are made of a soft material, usually copper or aluminum, and are flattened and distorted after their initial use.
- Normally new or rebuilt calipers will come with a new set of washers, check for this upon purchase or delivery.
New Rotors
- New rotors are often covered with oily film or protective coating to prevent oxidation or rusting during shipping. This coating should be completely removed prior to installation. Soap and water or generic solvents are often the most effective in removing this substance. After removing the coating the rotor should be rinsed thoroughly with brake cleaner to remove any remaining residues.
- Upon purchase, new rotors should already be properly surfaced and trued. However, it is not uncommon for a new rotor to be slightly warped. A pedal which pulsates upon braking will indicate that the new rotors need to be removed and resurfaced.
- The new rotor should match the old rotor exactly in both outer and inner diameter and lug nut bolt pattern.
Anti-Squeal Insulator Or Coating
- This substance is applied to the back of the pads/linings. The coating insulates the caliper housing from the high frequency vibrations that are developed during normal braking and thus helps prevent "Brake Squeal".
Anti-squeal Coating:
- Anti-Squeal coating should be applied to the Back-Side of the pads/linings. The coating should be allowed to dry and cure for 20-25 minutes prior to installation.
Aerosol Brake Cleaner
- Commercially produced aerosol brake cleaners are designed to effectively clean brake systems while not leaving an oily residue.
- Do not use carburetor cleaner or solvent based products to clean brake system components. These products will leave a residue which could contaminate the pads/linings and cause a reduction in braking performance.