sulli

I am picking up a set of 2nd hand 4-pot caliper and discs tomorrow, and have a new set of pads coming.
Planning on doing the work Saturday.
I think i'm fine changing the discs over, and changing pads is OK, only thing I have not done before is change calipers.
I obviously need to disconnect the brake hoses and reconnect to new calipers.
Any tips on best way to do it, special tools, do I need to bleed whole system etc.?
All tips appreciated.

RON

Discs and pads are easy to do, the biggest thing to remember with the caliper is that the bleed nipple HAS to be at the top, to let the air out!!!
You'll need to clamp the hose, swap the caliper, and then bleed it, simply a case of putting a bit of hose on the bleed niple, and getting someone else to 'slowly' pump the pedal a few times until the air stops coming out into the fluid in the jar that you put the end of the hose into!!, when there's no0 more air, do up the nipple, and top ut the reservoir,.
if you need to know more, ask!!

sulli

whats the best thing to clamp the hose with?

RON

You can get a special clamp, but so long as they're clean, you can use a pair of mole grips, just don't clamp it too tightly, you could split it!

Sloaner

I advis eyou to change the fluid and forget clamping. Nice fresh fluid will last longer and less risk of moisture/brake fade from the old stuff. dot 5.1.

RON

I didn't say not to change the fluid, but clamping the pipe stops an awful lot of mess!!!

sulli

OK - I may flush through.
the fluid was flushed and changed on last major service 3 months ago, and Dot 4.1 was put in. Therefore, it's not essential that I do it as i'm not planning any track days.
If I do change it though (will have to see how much Dot 5.1 is) anyone got a walktrhough on how to do it, and how much fluid will I need?
Thanks

StickyMicky

cover the ends of the mole grips in tape to stop the rough edges cutting the hose

when i fitted my briaded hoses i simply took them of and dropped most of the fluid, its no big deal, just top back up and re bleed the system when finnished

sulli

Job done
Even without the mole grips the hose doesn't lose much fluid, so not too much of a problem if you're ready with the new caliper.
Couple of tips that I found, which may help others:
-You will need to unbolt and slide out the ABS sensor to take the dust-gaurd off - gives you a chance to give it a good clean too, as well as everything else around the brakes.
-Clean hubs and facing surface of discs and rub down with wet and dry to ensure surfaces mate together cleanly.
-When reconnecting hose to new caliper, remember there is a washer either side of the hose, around the bolt.
-Use thread lock on caliper bolts.

It was all pretty simple really, and I had a chance to clean everything - only thing I didn't do was paint the calipers - my next job!

Thanks for all the advice.