How to Remove a Brake Caliper from a 2002 Mazda 626

Removing the brake caliper from your 2002 Mazda 626 allows you to replace a defective caliper, rebuild the current caliper or work on other parts of the car that the caliper may interfere with reaching. Removing the caliper completely requires you to bleed the brake system completely after either reinstalling the old caliper or installing a new caliper on the 626. New and remanufactured calipers are available from most auto parts stores or through your Mazda dealer's parts department.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts of the wheel or wheels from whose brake you are removing the caliper, using a lug wrench. Do not remove the nuts yet.

2

Raise the car with a jack and position a set of jack stands under the frame rails to support it while you are working. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel studs on the wheel or wheels whose lug nuts you already loosened. Remove the wheel from the car and set it aside for now.

3

Locate the high-pressure brake line that is attached to the backside of the brake caliper. Remove the through bolt from the fitting at the caliper with a wrench or socket and ratchet, then lift the hose off the caliper. Tuck it up and out of the way for now.

4

Locate the lower caliper mounting bolt and remove it by turning it counterclockwise with a ratchet and socket. Lift the bottom of the caliper up, swinging it far enough up to clear the rotor, then slide the caliper off the top mounting pin. Remove the caliper from under the car.