GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Disassembly Procedure

Caution: Refer to Brake Dust Caution in the Preface section.

Caution: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Caution in the Preface section.

Notice: Refer to Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Notice in the Preface section.

  1. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement .

  2. Object Number: 177039  Size: SH

    Caution: Do not place fingers in front of the caliper piston(s) in an attempt to catch or protect it when applying compressed air. The piston(s) can fly out with force and could result in serious bodily injury.

    Notice: Use clean cloths to pad interior of caliper housing during piston removal. Use just enough air to ease the pistons out of the bores. If the pistons are blown out, even with the padding provided, it may be damaged.

  3. Blow compressed air into the brake caliper hole (1) in order to remove the brake caliper piston. The piston will come out through the piston boot.
  4. Inspect and replace the brake caliper piston if any of the following conditions are found:
  5. • Scoring
    • Nicks
    • Corrosion
    • Worn or damaged chrome plating
  6. Remove the dust boot retaining ring.

  7. Object Number: 177049  Size: SH

    Important: Do not scratch the housing bore.

  8. Use a flat-bladed tool in order to remove the brake caliper piston boot (2).

  9. Object Number: 779716  Size: SH

    Notice: Do not use a metal tool for seal removal. Damage to the caliper bore or the seal grooves can result.

  10. Use a small wooden or plastic tool in order to remove the piston seal (4) from the groove in the caliper bore.
  11. Inspect the caliper bore and the seal grooves for the following conditions:
  12. • Scoring
    • Nicks
    • Corrosion
    • Wear
  13. Use a piece of crocus cloth in order to polish out light corrosion.
  14. Replace the caliper if corrosion in and around the seal groove cannot be cleaned with a piece of crocus cloth.
  15. Inspect the seal groove in the caliper bore for nicks or burrs. Replace the caliper if the seal groove is damaged.
  16. Inspect and replace any brake caliper bolt pin boots that exhibit any of the following conditions:
  17. • Cuts
    • Tears
    • Deterioration

    Important: Do not attempt to polish away the corrosion.

  18. Inspect the brake caliper bolts for corrosion or damage. Replace any corroded brake caliper bolts.

  19. Object Number: 176945  Size: SH
  20. Remove the bleeder valve cap (17) and the bleeder valve (16) from the brake caliper housing (15).
  21. Clean all the parts with clean, denatured alcohol.
  22. Dry all the parts with filtered, non-lubricated compressed air.
  23. Use filtered, non-lubricated compressed air in order to blow out all of the passages in the caliper housing and the bleeder valve.

Assembly Procedure

  1. Install the bleeder valve and the bleeder valve cap to the caliper housing.

  2. Object Number: 779716  Size: SH
  3. Install a new lubricated piston seal (6) to the caliper bore groove. Ensure that the piston seal is not twisted.

  4. Object Number: 177051  Size: SH
  5. Install the lubricated piston boot (1) onto the brake caliper piston (2).
  6. Lubricate the brake caliper piston (2) with clean brake fluid.
  7. Install the brake caliper piston with the brake caliper piston boot into the bore of the caliper. Push the brake caliper piston to the bottom of the bore.

  8. Object Number: 777640  Size: SH
  9. Install the retaining ring that secures the dust boot to the caliper housing.
  10. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement .