Removal Procedure
- Remove the rear brake caliper from vehicle. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
- Drain the brake fluid from the caliper assembly.
- Using a small wooden or plastic tool, carefully remove the brake caliper piston dust boot seal retaining ring from the groove in the caliper seal counterbore.
- Place a block of wood against the inside of the caliper body, opposite of the caliper piston.
- Direct low pressure compressed air through the caliper inlet hose to remove the caliper piston.
- Remove the piston dust boot seal (2) from the seal counterbore in the caliper and discard the dust boot seal.
- Using a small wooden or plastic tool, remove the piston seal from the caliper bore and discard the piston seal.
- Inspect the operation of the integral park brake mechanism: Rotate the park brake lever back and forth while observing the movement of the park brake mechanism actuator assembly in the caliper bore.
- If the integral park brake mechanism was not operating properly, binding or seized, replace the brake caliper assembly.
- If cracks, scoring, pitting, excessive rust, and/or excessive corrosion are present in the caliper bore, replace the caliper assembly.
- If light rust or light corrosion are present in the caliper bore, attempt to remove the imperfection with a fine emery paper. If the imperfection cannot be removed, replace the caliper assembly.
- Clean the brake caliper piston bore and seal counterbore, the caliper piston, and the caliper sleeves with denatured alcohol, or equivalent.
- Dry the caliper piston bore and counterbore, the piston, and the sleeves with non-lubricated, filtered air.
- Inspect the caliper piston for cracks, scoring, damage to the chrome plating, and/or damage to the integral adjusting mechanism. Replace the caliper piston if any of these conditions exist.
- Inspect the caliper mounting holes for cracks, scoring, pitting, rust, and/or excessive corrosion. Replace the caliper assembly if any of these conditions exist.
Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning in the Preface section.
Warning: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Warning in the Preface section.
Caution: Refer to Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Caution in the Preface section.
Note: If the brake caliper was leaking brake fluid from the REAR of the caliper past the integral park brake actuator shaft seal, replace the brake caliper assembly. The park brake integral mechanism contains a non-serviceable seal which may be allowing brake fluid to leak past it and into the non-serviceable integral park brake mechanism.
Note: The park brake lever, lever return spring and actuator shaft seal are not serviceable components of the integral park brake mechanism. Do not disassemble the integral park brake mechanism.
Note: Do not use abrasives to clean the brake caliper piston.
Installation Procedure
- Lubricate the new piston seal with GM approved, or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Install the lubricated, new piston seal into the caliper bore.
- Install the new dust boot seal onto the caliper piston (2).
- Insert the caliper piston into the caliper bore. Using a spanner type wrench, rotate the piston (2) clockwise to fully seat the piston into the caliper body (1).
- Fully seat the piston dust boot seal in the seal counterbore.
- Install the piston dust boot seal retaining ring to the groove in the caliper seal counterbore.
- Install the brake caliper to the vehicle. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
Inspect the brake caliper for brake fluid leaks while performing the hydraulic brake system bleeding procedure after the caliper has been installed to the vehicle. If the brake caliper leaks brake fluid from the FRONT of the caliper past the piston dust boot seal, replace the caliper piston assembly. The piston integral adjustment mechanism contains a non-serviceable seal which may be allowing brake fluid to leak past it through a bleed hole near the end of the caliper piston.
