Brake caliper

RDOEDLI

MEMBER
1993 CHRYSLER LE BARON
FWD

I am repairing a family members braking system. She let it go to long. The. Driver side rotor completely broke apart, I have replace both front rotors and pads. The caliper on the side with the broken rotor looks to be damaged and the seal broken. I am replacing the caliper. There is no bleeder valve on the caliper. What is the best way to bleed the system after replacement? Should I bleed it at the banjo connection? Thank you very much for your assistance. Robert

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,752 POSTS

There is always a bleeder screw. Check to see if it is broken off. If so, exchange it for a different one.

You can bleed it through the banjo bolt but you'll have to do it with the caliper unbolted so you can hold that connection to the top so air comes out. Start out by gravity bleeding it, then have a helper push the brake pedal down just a couple of inches. Tighten the bolt before he releases the pedal or air will be drawn back in. Use your fingers to squeeze the piston back in a little to force any remaining air bubble up into the rubber hose, then you can flip the caliper over and mount it. From just using the brakes, the fluid will move back and forth and eventually wash any tiny bubbles up to the reservoir.

It's very important to never push the brake pedal all the way to the floor. Crud and corrosion build up in the bottom halves of the two bores where the lip seals don't normally travel. Pushing the pedal to the floor runs those seals over that crud and can rip them. This could happen too when a hose pops or in your case the piston came out too far and the fluid "fell out". The driver likely ran the pedal to the floor at least once. It may be necessary to replace the master cylinder, which luckily on Chryslers without anti-lock brakes, isn't very expensive.

Caradiodoc