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Replacing front pads and rotors (Axxiss and Brembos from the GD). Picked up the front brake hardware kit (shims and pad guides) and the caliper seal kit (rubber for the caliper slides as well as piston seals and boots) from Courtesy. Already cleaned, re-rubbered, and lubed the guides.

Question is, while I'm in there, is it worth replacing the piston seal/boots? I don't have a reson to believe there's anything wrong with the rubber around the piston or the piston movement itself. This is on a 96, 115k miles. If I wanted to go ahead and do it, is it a mess to take the piston out (can I just open the bleeder to avoid fluid going all over the place)? Is it a PITA to get the thing sealed back up?

Brake jobs aren't new to me- I've just never messed with the pistons. Any advice? I don't want to open a can of worms and possibly need to run to rent tools to get the things back together. Also, can I just pop off and replace the piston boot?

Thanks!

 

If the boot is not torn, and you were able to push the piston in without excessive force, then the caliper seal/piston is still fine. It is very messy to replace the seal and boot. If you do replace the seal, post it so we can learn. I haven't done it myself. I have not seen any post about replacing caliper seal on the org for the last two years.

 

Excellent. Thanks!

 

I did this about 6 months ago. Its a cake job. You will need to remove the brake line into the caliper and blow the piston out with compressed air. Make sure you put something infront of the piston like a piece of wood or a thick towel so it doesnt get damaged from hitting the caliper. Then its just pull old seal and boot, clean, regrease, install new seal and boot. The tricky part is getting the new boot back around the piston while everything is all greasy. That took some time. I found it easier to install the new boot and then insert the piston.

 

Thanks Dubbya. Lemme see if I have the time this weekend to get into it or not (my 3-week old is taking up all my time these days).