Help: Removing Caliper from Rotor without Removing Pads - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1le_cam · 06-07-2021, 10:20 PM

I would like to swap my rotors out for a new set but I got fresh brake pads about 2,000 miles ago, so I will not be changing those. Is it possible to just remove the caliper from the rotor via unbolting it, rest it on something, and install the new rotors? Or do the pads need to be removed from the caliper before coming off the rotor. I have never done brake work before so I’m not sure if they will slide off the rotors if the pads are still inside them. Thank you in advance for the help.

KillboyPowerhead · 06-08-2021, 05:32 AM

No biggie, the pads just kind of sit in the caliper - if they fall out (or you can pull them out yourself so they don't fall to the ground) just put them back in. You may need to use a clamp to push the pistons back into the caliper to make more room for the new, thicker pads.

CamaroCracka · 06-08-2021, 10:57 AM

If they are Brembos, there is a pin holding them in. They can't even fall out. Get some bailing wire to hang them. Every time I put a block under a caliper to hold it up, I knock the block over and they end up hanging by the brake line until I get the block back under them.

AlanRubin · 06-09-2021, 01:41 AM

The pads do NOT sit in the caliper, they slide on to the bracket, then the
caliper goes on it.

Caliper is off, the bracket is where the pads go in, NOT the caliper.

This is normally how you swap the pads, remove one slide pin bolt, and flip the CALIPER up:

For ROTORS and BEARINGS:
I remove the entire loaded assembly from the knuckle, and hang it to change
rotors and wheel bearings. Remove the BRACKET bolts from the knuckle, and
take the whole thing off.

Boom, done.

1le_cam · 06-10-2021, 10:17 PM

Thank you all!

06-07-2021, 10:20 PM	#1
1le_cam Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 10	Help: Removing Caliper from Rotor without Removing Pads I would like to swap my rotors out for a new set but I got fresh brake pads about 2,000 miles ago, so I will not be changing those. Is it possible to just remove the caliper from the rotor via unbolting it, rest it on something, and install the new rotors? Or do the pads need to be removed from the caliper before coming off the rotor. I have never done brake work before so I’m not sure if they will slide off the rotors if the pads are still inside them. Thank you in advance for the help.

06-08-2021, 05:32 AM	#2
KillboyPowerhead Drives: 2015 Z/22 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 931	No biggie, the pads just kind of sit in the caliper - if they fall out (or you can pull them out yourself so they don't fall to the ground) just put them back in. You may need to use a clamp to push the pistons back into the caliper to make more room for the new, thicker pads. __________________ Overkill/Self Tuned; Mace Camshafts; K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake; Ported 80mm Throttle Body/Intake Manifolds/Manifold Spacer; Solo Performance High-Flow Cats, Cat-back Exhaust; Vitesse Motorsports Throttle Controller; Elite Engineering E2 Catch Can; BC Racing BR Coilovers; JPSS Delrin Radius Rod Bushing Inserts, Sway Bars; Pegasus Aluminum Rear Cradle Bushings, Camber/Caster Plates; Z/28 Toe Links, Trailing Arms, Upper Control Arm Bushings, Rear Shock Mounts

06-08-2021, 10:57 AM	#3
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,735	If they are Brembos, there is a pin holding them in. They can't even fall out. Get some bailing wire to hang them. Every time I put a block under a caliper to hold it up, I knock the block over and they end up hanging by the brake line until I get the block back under them. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

06-09-2021, 01:41 AM	#4
AlanRubin Banned Drives: 2010 LS Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Pgh Posts: 411	The pads do NOT sit in the caliper, they slide on to the bracket, then the caliper goes on it. Caliper is off, the bracket is where the pads go in, NOT the caliper. This is normally how you swap the pads, remove one slide pin bolt, and flip the CALIPER up: For ROTORS and BEARINGS: I remove the entire loaded assembly from the knuckle, and hang it to change rotors and wheel bearings. Remove the BRACKET bolts from the knuckle, and take the whole thing off. Boom, done.

06-10-2021, 10:17 PM	#5
1le_cam Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 10	Thank you all!