Brake Caliper Preventative Maintenance

[zoomie]

Thinking about cleaning around brake pads to clear the brake dust with a can of brake cleaner fluid. Does any one know how to lubricate the calipers?

[VastOrangutan]

The calipers are pretty bulletproof and I replace them when I see my pads are not wearing evenly...However if you're interested in lubing the calipers, you can pull the bolts upon which the calipers slide and lube them. It may help to put some grease in the holes the bolts slide in as well, and perhaps inside the rubber boots. I have a tube of brake caliper grease, as it called...which I'm pretty sure is a graphite based grease...Not 100% sure.But the point is the best maintenance for your calipers is to make sure they move freely on the bolts and can grip the rotors effectively. And maybe bleed your fluid. Many problems can be solved by pumping fresh fluid through your system!

[zoomie]

A Toyota dealer charges $100 for this maintenance, add $90 for brake system flush.

[Water boy]

When I have it apart I lube EVERY point of contact not just the pins. Some points are lubed some are just barely "wetted". Of course I clean all to start with.Cheap insurance.

[zoomie]

Im guessing Toyota wont remove the calipers assembly in their brake system service. What points other than the bolts the mechanism glides along requires lube...

[Sublimewind]

you could check out my brake tutorial here somewhere... It's for an 03' but would basically be the same procedure.. A blind spritz with brake cleaner isn't going to do anything good for you...

[vibedrivermatt]

I've heard a good maintenance thing to do is replacing the brake fluid every two years. Its supposed to flush out water and contaminants that build up over time. Different seasons with heating and cooling can get water into the system.