Over the weekend I did my sister's front brakes & bled the system - but what could I have done better and even though I did my homework beforehand, things unexpectedly came up such that I ask...
[*] What caliper piston spreader tool do you use?
[*] What's the procedure for replacing those torn piston boots?
[*] Do you rebed when you re-use an already-bedded disc?
[*] What could I have done better, overall?

1. I ordered all four brake pads & shoes from the same manufacturer so as to have "similar" friction material for all four wheels.


2. I lowered the brake fluid reservoir level from the MAX line to the MIN line, in order to compensate for the new thicker pads.


3. I removed the springs and pulled out the old shoes using a long punch as a pry bar in the pad center hole.


4. I compared the old and new hardware (Centric Part Number P117.44034) to confirm the similarities.


5. The AMECA Edge Codes (aka DOT Edge Codes) indicate Centric makes the pads, and that they're part number 105.04360 which is made by unique manufacturer 15AA with a registered composition of 2256 and that they're cold friction is F and hot friction is E and that they were manufactured in the 41st week of 2016, and their composition is A which indicates more than 5% copper (among other things).


6. The old pads match the new pads and the old pads were worn to the scrape sensor, which is on both the inboard and outboard shoes.


7. Unfortunately, the pistons don't go back in my hands, and my standard piston spreader doesn't seem to fit nicely in the Toyota calipers.


8. By shoving the old shoes back in, I was able to get somewhat of a grip with the old piston spreaders.


9. I tried to use an 18-inch C-clamp, but it wouldn't push the two piston shoes on each side in evenly.


10. In fact I tried all sorts of clamps, but none fit as nicely as I would have liked them to.


11. Worse, all that sliding of pads in and out and clamps seems to have torn some of the piston boots.


12. The only thing I lubricated were the caliper pins (as I wasn't sure what else needed it)?


In summary, if you have advice on how to do the job better, that's mostly what I ask here.

Particularly, I ask:
[*] What caliper piston spreader tool do you use?
[*] What's the procedure for replacing those torn piston boots?
[*] Do you rebed when you re-use an already-bedded disc?
[*] What could I have done better overall?

 

To flush the system, I had a helper step on the pedal at my command where the procedure I followed is below, where again, I just ask how you would improve on this process.

1. Using a 5ml eye dropper, I removed as much of the old DOT 3 amber brake fluid as I could, and replaced it to the MAX level with new DOT 4 SuperBlue fluid.


2. Starting at the rear passenger side wheel, I removed the bleeder valve dust cap with a pry bar.


3. I wiped off the dust and dirt with a clean towel so as not to introduce grit into the system.


4. I cracked the bleeder valve using a 10mm flare-nut wrench.


5. Then I placed a hose over the bleeder valve, told the helper to press, opened the valve, had the helper hold the down position of the pedal, and then closed the valve so that the helper could lift her foot off the pedal.


6. I stopped when I could see a few loads of dark blue new brake fluid replacing the old dark amber fluid.


7. After each wheel, I topped off the brake reservior back to the MAX level, where the total amount used was 12 ounces (and where the rear fills took about from the MAX level to the MIN level).


Sequence:
1. Passenger-side rear
2. Driver-side rear
3. Passenger-side front
4. Driver-side front

I just ask how you would improve on this process.

 

Either rebuild the Calipers or replace them with rebuilt units .

With the boots torn dirt gets into the bore in a few days things could be so scratched as to be impossible to clean up .

It is a personal thing with me front pads replaced Calipers also get attention .

With the pads still in place guide pins removed I just pry the pistons back with a tape covered bar

 

I didn't think about the dirt already being there, since I just tore them myself when I was trying to fit things in there to test which disc brake spreader worked better.

I don't mind rebuilding them. Is it hard to do or does it take tools I don't have (I don't mind buying tools that I need)?

I guess I could have done that, especially if I loosened the bleeder a bit, but I would have figured there is a tool for spreading the caliper pistons that actually worked (mine didn't).