How to Replace a Brake Caliper on a 1983 GMC 3500

The brake calipers on the 1983 GMC 3500 are the main components that press the brake pads to the brake rotors. The brake fluid travels through the brake line and into the brake caliper. When the brake pedal is compressed from inside of the truck, the cylinder inside of the brake caliper compresses against the brake pads. The brake pads then compress against the brake rotor. When the caliper cylinder has fully pressed the brake pads to the rotor, the truck will come to a stop.

Instructions

1

Park the 1983 GMC 3500 and engage the parking brake. Open the hood and remove the square plastic lid from the brake-fluid container.

2

Loosen all of the lug nuts on both of the front wheels. Then, jack up the 1983 GMC 3500 from the front axle. Place a jack stand under each side of the front axle near the front tires. Lower the GMC onto the jack stands.

3

Unscrew all of the lug nuts from both front wheels. Slide the wheels off of the hubs and place the wheels to the side. Start the brake-caliper replacement process on the front driver's side of the truck.

4

Look on the back of the brake caliper on the locate the two upper and lower Allen-head bolts that hold the caliper onto the caliper bracket. Insert the appropriate Allen wrench into the recessed bolts. Turn the bolts counterclockwise to loosen and remove them from the brake caliper.

5

Insert the flat-head screwdriver into the top part of the brake caliper. Pry the back brake pad back and forth towards the engine to loosen up the caliper.

6

Remove the brake-fluid line from the back side of the brake caliper with an open-end wrench. Turn the brake-line nut counterclockwise to loosen it from the rear of the brake caliper. Finish unscrewing the brake-line nut with your fingers.

7

Slide the brake caliper off the rotor. Hang the brake caliper to the side of the wheel well or to the frame rail with a small rope. Remove the brake pads from the caliper.

8

Slide the brake pads into the new brake caliper. Remove the small rope from the brake caliper and slide the new brake caliper onto the rotor. Insert the two Allen-head bolts into the rear of the brake caliper and tighten both down tight with the Allen wrench.

9

Screw the brake-line nut back onto the back side of the brake caliper with the open-end wrench. Make sure that the brake line is tight.

10

Put the wheel back onto the wheel hub and screw the lug nuts back onto the lugs. Tighten the lug nuts down tight with the lug wrench. Follow the same steps above for replacing the brake caliper on the front passenger side of the truck. Jack the truck back up and slide the jack stands out from under the front axle.

11

Lower the truck to the ground. Crank the engine and pump the brakes six or seven times to fill the new brake caliper up with brake fluid. Then, turn off the truck.

12

Check the brake-fluid level inside the brake-fluid container. If the fluid level is low, add the DOT-3 brake fluid to the container until full. Put the plastic lid back onto the brake-fluid container and close the hood.