How to Replace Brake Calipers on a 1998 GMC Jimmy

The brake calipers on the 1998 GMC Jimmy trucks are the main components that house the brake pads. The brake calipers are designed to compress the brake pads to the inner and outer facing of the brake rotors. The brake fluid compresses against the cylinder inside of the brake caliper so that the cylinder can compress the brake pads to the brake rotor. When this process is completed, the 1998 GMC Jimmy will come to a safe and complete stop. Replace the brake calipers whenever the caliper cylinders begins to stick or malfunction.

Instructions

1

Park the 1998 GMC Jimmy on a level surface with plenty of room. Apply the parking brake.

2

Loosen the lug nuts from the front wheels with a tire tool or a lug wrench.

3

Jack the front of the 1998 GMC Jimmy up from a safe jacking area such as the cross frame under the engine. Position a jack stand under the proper jacking points on both sides of the Jimmy. Slowly release the jack so that the truck comes to a secure stop on the stands. Leave the jack sitting upright and under the truck.

4

Remove the lug nuts from the front driver-side wheel. Pull the wheel off and place it down flat near where you are working. Move to the passenger side and finish removing the lug nuts and pull the wheel off. Place the front passenger-side wheel down flat near where you are working also.

5

Move back to the driver-side front wheel and remove the two caliper mounting bolts that are located on the back side of the caliper with a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and a socket.

6

Insert the tip of the small pry bar between the outer brake pad and the brake rotor. Carefully pry the outer brake pad towards the rear of the caliper, going back and forth until the caliper is loose.

7

Locate the brake fluid line on the rear of the brake caliper. Position the small catch pan under the brake caliper to catch any brake fluid from the brake line. Loosen the end of the brake line with an open-end wrench. Finish unscrewing the end of the brake line with your fingers. Let the brake line hang down towards the catch pan.

8

Pull the brake caliper off the brake rotor and set it on the ground. Put the new brake caliper beside the old brake calipers and transfer the old brake pads and brake pad accessories to the new brake caliper. Then, reverse the same exact steps above for installing the new brake caliper onto the rotor and for putting the wheel back onto the wheel hub.

9

Move to the front passenger side of the Jimmy and repeat the same steps above for removing and replacing the brake caliper. Then, put the wheel back on and tighten down tight with the tire tool or the lug wrench.

10

Jack the front of the Jimmy back up and slide the jack stands out from under the truck. Lower the Jimmy back to the ground. Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. Check the fluid level inside the reservoir. If low, add the DOT-3 brake fluid to the reservoir until full and replace the cap. Then, close the hood.

11

Crank the Jimmy and compress the brake pedal in and out to set the new brake calipers to the older brake pads. Turn the engine off.