OK so I got a Chilton's mamual and it says to first disconnect the speed sensor from the steering knuckle on my ABS truck before removing the caliper. What is the speed sensor? Is that the hard skinny line going to the back of the caliper? I wanted to do remove the caliper without having to disconnect the brake line, does this have anything to do with the brake line? DO I need to bleed the brakes if I do do this? I was planning to just hang, the caliper, can I still do this? Thanks so much for taking the time to help me. I really appreciate it.

 

I don't know about the speed sensor- I'll check my manual. Your truck must be newer than mine. You don't need to remove the brake line, therefore, you won't need to bleed the brakes. The only reason to bleed is if you open the system and air gets in. Remove the 2 caliper bolts and hang the caliper like this:



If the speed sensor must be disconnected, it probably has 1/2 twist then pull out. I'll check my manual later and try to give an opinion.

Edit: The brake line is hard metal, then a rubber hose. It would be removed with an open end wrench. The "sensor" would be a hard plastic cable I'd bet.

 

DOes the hard metal connect to the pistons, then kind of move across the caliper to a bolt where it connects, then the rubber hose connects to the other side and goes to the engine bay? If so, how do you hang the caliper, if the hard metal part doesn't move or bend at all? Thanks for the quick responses

 

The manual also says to use a new locknut and washer when replacing the hub. Is this necessary, or can I just reuse the old ones? I don't see why not.

 

The brake hose is attached to the caliper, then a metal fitting and metal line come from the rubber hose and is screwed into the caliper. The metal line does have some flexibility, just don't bend it at an extreme angle. Don't worry about removing the brake line- get those caliper bolts (14mm maybe) loose as they are all that holds the caliper over the rotor. Remove the two bolts and pick up the caliper- you'll see how it comes off. If you are concerned about bending the lines, have an assistant hold the caliper up while you secure it with a bungee cord.

 

There isn't any slack on the metal line as it is connected to a bracket. Does your truck have ABS? Is it different from mine?

 

I have rear ABS only. I reuse the washer and nut when I maintenance my brakes. Is there any way you can get a picture of what you are talking about? I can't understand how your brake caliper would be any different than mine. 2 bolts and remove it.

 

I'll try to get a hold of a camera, do you happen to have a picture of the back of your hub with the caliper still on? Mabe I could see if mine is the same as yours that way if you do. Thanks again for all the time and help.

 

I'll check when I get home from work.

 

Okay so I finally got pics of my brake line. Is this the speed sensor that is connected to the back of my rotor which then goes to the brake line? Here are a few angles. The line coming from the back of the rotor is metal and is stiff with no play. Is this different from yours? Do I need to disconnect this line from my rotor, because I cant hang the rotor with it on, being that it is solid stiff.

 

trying to figure out this picture thing. sorry for the repost, hope these are better.

 

That is not a speed sensor; brake fluid flows from the rubber hose into a metal line, then into the caliper.

Take this bolt off- this bolt holds the plate that the rubber brake hose and hard metal brake line are joined at.



Once you remove this bolt, you will be able to move the caliper because of the flexibility of the rubber hose. Removal of that bolt will allow both the rubber hose and metal line to move away from the spindle and be secured with a bungee cord or rope.

 

thanks Jeff, you're the best. I can't thank you, and everyone else in this forum enough for all the help. I truly appreciate it.

 

Just a note as to how I do it. At the point that the rubber hose joins the hard metal line, it goes through a bracket to hold it in place. The hose is held to the bracket with a big slide clip. I pop the clip out and the hard metal line will move in the bracket so I can turn the caliper however I need without bending the hard metal line. When putting it back together, I just slip the clip back in place.