Rear brake issues - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CWFreeze · 05-09-2009, 06:14 PM

So I'm that guy: the guy who introduces himself to a new forum by asking for help...

I've been working on my rear brakes of my 2007 Camry LE. Rear left just needed new pads, while the rear right needed a new rotor and new pads as well. Things were going pretty well until I (stupidly) asked my wife to step on the brake pedal while I was finishing up the rear left. I forgot that I had the caliper assembly off the rotor with no pads on the right side and the piston popped out, brake fluid spilling everywhere.

At this point, I knew I was going to have to eventually bleed the brake system--not knowing EXACTLY how to do that--but was more concerned about getting the piston back in. Well, in so doing I tore the rubber sleeve/gasket, and still couldn't get the flippin' thing in. The piston itself is in good shape.

So here are my questions for people more knowledgable than me: (1) do I need to replace the entire caliper assembly, or can I just replace the damaged sleeve (and how much of a pain is it to do so); (2) how much will those parts be (about); and (3) when I get it fixed and need to bleed the brake system, how do I go about doing it?

Any help you can offer will be much appreciated!

LE05 · 05-09-2009, 06:32 PM

answers in red. i do suggest bringing it to a professional since brakes are a very important system... but if you insist on doing it yourself, get a service manual or haynes manual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWFreeze

(1) do I need to replace the entire caliper assembly, or can I just replace the damaged sleeve (and how much of a pain is it to do so)
if the piston is good, you do not need to replace the entire caliper assembly... and yes you can just replace the damaged boot. i've never personally replaced the seals on a caliper so i can't tell you how easy it will be, but i don't think it will be very difficult
(2) how much will those parts be (about)
i'm not sure that you can buy just the boot, you may need to buy a caliper overhaul kit from the dealer which includes all new boots, snap rings, and caps to rebuild the caliper(s), which will be approx ~$30 depending on where you get it.
(3) when I get it fixed and need to bleed the brake system, how do I go about doing it?
i personally use a pressure bleeder... but if you don't know how to bleed the brakes, i would really suggest again bringing the car to a professional to repair...

johawk79 · 05-10-2009, 11:47 AM

1. Do yourself a favor and just go to the dealer and buy a new caliper and be done with it. Don't try to rebuild it. Doing so will cause much aggrivation. Unfortunately, the aftermarket has not released calipers for the '07 - present Camrys. So your stuck with going to the dealer.

2. Retail on a caliper from the dealer is probably gonna be close to $130.

3. Don't try to bleed the entire system when replacing just one caliper. Install the caliper then top off the master cylinder with brake fluid. Open the bleeder screw on the caliper and let it sit for a while (until you see fluid start coming out). Close the bleeder. Pump the brakes a few times. Now you need another person. One of you has to press the brake pedal down while the other opens the bleeder screw. Once no fluid is coming out of the bleeder, close it. DO NOT RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE BLEEDER SCREW HAS BEEN CLOSED! Pump the brakes, hold the pedal down, open the bleeder, close the bleeder, let up on the brake pedal. Repeat a few times. Top off the fluid in the master cylinder. Take the car to a shop and have them bleed the rest of the system just as a safe measure.

Mike Gerber · 05-10-2009, 02:21 PM

"Don't try to bleed the entire system when replacing just one caliper"

You might have to bleed the entire system if you let the fluid get too low in the mster cylinder.

Mike

gdanaher · 05-10-2009, 02:58 PM

A caliper repair kit is about $20 from Toyota of Dallas. The caliper is $270. Time to learn how to repair the caliper.

I'm assuming you damaged the inner seal/o-ring? If so, replace it, loosen the bleeder valve so that air will flow, lube the surfaces with brake fluid, and slide the piston in very evenly and squarely. There is a chamfer on the bottom edge of the piston to prevent damaging the seal. The dust cover is easy and obvious.

johawk79 · 05-10-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

"Don't try to bleed the entire system when replacing just one caliper"

You might have to bleed the entire system if you let the fluid get too low in the mster cylinder.

Mike

"Take the car to a shop and have them bleed the rest of the system as a safe measure."

I don't think this guy should be trying to attempt rebuilding a caliper. Doesn't seem to me like he has a whole lot of automotive service experience. Get the car to a point where it can be driven to a shop and have them fix the screw up.

gdanaher · 05-10-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johawk79

I don't think this guy should be trying to attempt rebuilding a caliper. Doesn't seem to me like he has a whole lot of automotive service experience. Get the car to a point where it can be driven to a shop and have them fix the screw up.

I tend to agree. Actually it is rare that anyone posting here has the ability to properly take on the task they are attempting. In this case, if he doesn't get the caliper back together he is looking at having the car trucked on a flatbed back to a mechanic, so he might be motivated to learn how to do this job.

CWFreeze · 05-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johawk79

I don't think this guy should be trying to attempt rebuilding a caliper. Doesn't seem to me like he has a whole lot of automotive service experience. Get the car to a point where it can be driven to a shop and have them fix the screw up.

As suspected, I don't have a lot of automotive service experience. But I'm smart and motivated, and have done pretty well on the things I've tackled. I can handle complicated processes so long as I know what the steps are. So that's why I'm here: to discern if this is something a smart and motivated guy can tackle, or whether I have to have the car hauled to the dealership or my mechanic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LE05

i do suggest bringing it to a professional since brakes are a very important system... but if you insist on doing it yourself, get a service manual or haynes manual.

I've managed to get the service manuals from camrystuff.com, but have yet to track down a Chilton's or a Haynes. Am I just missing them, or are they truly not made yet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdanaher

I tend to agree. Actually it is rare that anyone posting here has the ability to properly take on the task they are attempting. In this case, if he doesn't get the caliper back together he is looking at having the car trucked on a flatbed back to a mechanic, so he might be motivated to learn how to do this job.

Yes; see above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdanaher

A caliper repair kit is about $20 from Toyota of Dallas. The caliper is $270. Time to learn how to repair the caliper.

I'm assuming you damaged the inner seal/o-ring? If so, replace it, loosen the bleeder valve so that air will flow, lube the surfaces with brake fluid, and slide the piston in very evenly and squarely. There is a chamfer on the bottom edge of the piston to prevent damaging the seal. The dust cover is easy and obvious.

Okay, the inner seal/o-ring appears to be fine. It's the dust cover that I tore. I'm going to track down a caliper repair kit tomorrow and see what I can do. And don't worry: if things get to the point that I feel I'm too far out of my league, I won't be doing anything stupid.

LE05 · 05-10-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWFreeze

I've managed to get the service manuals from camrystuff.com, but have yet to track down a Chilton's or a Haynes. Am I just missing them, or are they truly not made yet?

i'm not sure, i own an 05. at any rate, my comment was directed more for rebuilding the caliper. if you do have the service manual, it should have instructions on how to replace the boot. there should also be instructions on how to bleed the brake system.

gdanaher · 05-11-2009, 01:39 PM

To be honest, I haven't needed to disassemble my 07 caliper and don't plan on doing so any time soon, BUT, they are all made essentially the same way. It's a piston and a cylinder. The sealing ring inside acts like a piston ring if you will, and it is hard to damage. Loosen the bleeder valve on the back rear of the caliper so that air can escape, place the piston squarely in the cylinder and using your thumbs, push it in. Lube the surfaces first with some brake fluid. Use nothing but brake fluid. As the piston goes in it will force air out of the cylinder. When near bottom, attach the dust cover and then reinstall the caliper, and remember not to tell anyone to press on the brake pedal when a caliper is off the rotor. Whe it is time to bleed, do this one first. It will take several pumps on the pedal to fill it. I like to use clear tubing so I can watch for fine bubbles. Make sure the master cylinder reservoir is full, sue only properly labeled fluid, and pump slowly to get the air out. This really requires 2 people if done under a shadetree. When done with the caliper that was opened, do the same to the other rear caliper to assure that no air migrated to that one. Check the pedal for any squish, and if you sense any, again bleed some more out of the first caliper. Make certain that the reservoir never goes dry.