I just did a brake Job on my TL. Noticed the caliper guide pin boot was a little torn up. I would like to inquire if it is necessary to replace this. Also how hard is it to take of the pin out so you can replace the boot. Finally do I wait 500 miles before doing the bed in process or do I do it right away. I bought Centric premium rotors and pads.

 

torn boot allows grease out and grit in'
That pin needs to slide easy- every time you push the brakes it moves the caliper on that pin
Not difficult to replace, you may have to buy a rebuild kit in order to get it

Bedding needs to be done for the first 500 miles- remember to brake early and use medium pressure
Avoid ABS or panic stops if possible

 

Rock Auto has a Wagner replacement part #H18002. When I take the bracket of do I just unscrew the pin that that boot is around, grease the pin, place boot around it and then screw it back down? So I must bed the rotor and pads sometime in the 500 mile duration. Thanks for your help.

 

drive the car normally for a few days- brake early since they wont be full strength yet
Use medium pressure brake force
Avoid abs or panic stops if possible in first 500 miles

cant help you on the boot- just take it apart and figure it out, cant be that tough
Yes, grease the pin and internal area, not overpacked though, the caliper slides in and out on that pin when you push the brake pedal

 

Boot is easy to replace once you look at it.

 

Thanks guys

 

Just unscrew and pull out. Very easy.

 

question, do you have to take tire off and jack the car up or can you take one pin out at a time a grease while all tires are on the ground? I have a soft brake pedal issue and the dealer says it's because i forgot to grease my slide pin when i changed the pads. That and i didn't bleed the brakes. Normally i don't bleed because i don't mess with the lines so why would you need to bleed? I can't think that a lack of grease on the pins would also cause a low soft brake pedal. Any input? Also i have since performed a brake bleed and still have the issue. It might be the VSA modulator recall as well. Just wanted to know how important is it to grease the slide pin. Thanks!

 

you need to bleed the lines since you had to depress the caliper. open up the nipple on the caliper and put a hose on it with a bucket to catch the fluid. pump the brake petal a few times and add some dot3/4 fluid in the master cylinder. be careful with fluid because it will eat paint.

 

I'm getting ready to replace the rear brake pads (pads only nothing else) on my 2003 TL. What size wrench do I need? Also, I have 9-inch C-clamp (for caliper). Will that work or do I need a 12-inch? I can't find the info anywhere online! This is about my 20th brake pad job, but 1st on either of my TL's.
Thanks.

 

Whats the difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4?

 

boiling point is higher in dot4, thus less water. i just use dot 4, you can also add dot 4 into the oem dot3.