Question about brake pins on 2008 xB

[xBa380]

Hello everyone,

I thought that my rear right brake may had been dragging due to noises I was hearing (squealing when I was not even applying the brake) so I figured I may of had a sticking brake pin.

I removed the tire and dismounted the caliper to check on the slide pins, and noticed it had this flexible dust cover on it, and when I went to turn or move the pin in and out, it would follow (makes sense). What is the proper way to remove this pin without tearing the dust cover to relube the pin? I figure I do not need to now, as there was not much resistance in the pin and it worked just fine, but just for future reference? Do I use a ratchet to loosen that up or just pull it out? (looked like it may tear though).

I figure most Toyota brakes are like this... Looking for some input from you guys before I ruin something. On my girlfriends Mazda 3 you just loosened the bolt and pulled it out, but I quickly found my brakes are not the same.

Thanks!

 

[Jim 5]

Using proper caliper pin slide lube, you could try to move the boot around and knead some lube into the boot (between the boot and the pin) to free things up a little. Not saying it will be easy, but that's what I'd try.

If that didn't work, I'd check with the dealer on availability of the boot. If it was available, I'd take my chances on forcing it knowing I could drive to the dealer on a torn boot, get home and replace it if need be.

 

[xBa380]

It almost seemed as if the boot was attached to the bottom of the screw that the other end of the caliper bolt comes into, all the way flush with the caliper mount (Not sure on proper terminology here). There was no way to "open" it, without tearing it (or so it seemed). I could of tried harder, but did not want to tear it.

Is there a "proper" way to do this? After it was all said and done, the pin does move properly, so my "hunch" was wrong, but I DID find a screw in my tire I had repaired... So I guess the work was not for nothing

Plus, I love my new impact... Makes tire removal so, so easy.

Thanks for your help! Wondering if there is a proper way to remove this though without tearing the rubber boot to grease the pin if need be. I have good grease (Permatex 24125 Ceramic Extreme Brake Lubricant) and was just going to add more even if nothing was sticking as preventative measure.

 

[hemitom]

The boot should just slip over a ridge on the slide pin. Try lifting the boot where it meets the end of the slide pin with a small awl or pick.

 

[nthach]

I slip the boot off the pin and pull it out of the caliper support bracket. The pins and boot/bushing are all serviceable items. But I would use a rubber-safe grease like Sil-Glyde on the slide pins due to the fact there's a little rubber bushing on the end of the slide pin.

 

[xBa380]

I found my vehicles brake diagrams and it labels the dust boot covers as non-reusable parts. It shows them as just pulling apart, but why would they not be reusable?

 

[SIXSPEED]

Originally Posted By: xBa380
I found my vehicles brake diagrams and it labels the dust boot covers as non-reusable parts. It shows them as just pulling apart, but why would they not be reusable?

Probably because the rubber boot can become brittle, deteriorate and crack with exposure to heat and nasty elements. Once they crack, dirt and brake dust can get on the pin and interfere with their normal operation. Why not just change them at brake service intervals. Once the boot is off the pin, they should slide out. Clean and re-apply the recommended grease on the pin before re-installing.

 

[mechtech2]

I am not intimately familiar with you car.
But it sure sounds like simply picking the end off of their seats, and lubing it would prevent any tearing on removal..

 

[xBa380]

I really tried prying them off and being careful but they don't budge. It seems like once I remove them, they will tear. So I just left them alone for now.