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1 Boot kind of collapses when I push pin--should I replace?


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rv-guy
New User

Mar 6, 2021, 6:40 PM

Post #1 of 5 (984 views)
1 Boot kind of collapses when I push pin--should I replace? Sign In

2012 Suburban 1500, 160k mi.
Original brake parts.

This is my 2nd brake job--but first one I've tried on my Suburban, so I'm still green. But things are going well so far. I'm working on the first wheel (passenger side front), and was replacing the caliper bracket after installing the new rotor.

I removed the guide pins and greased with silicone. When I replaced them, I noticed that 1 pin traveled more freely than the other. After pushing in the "bad" pin about 10 or so times, I noticed that the boot had collapsed a little. It was like a a vacuum was created. I pulled the pin out, and tried again. I noticed that after pushing the pin in and pulling it out, eventually one of the billows in the boot would basically collapse. which would mean that pin would sit about 5mm "shorter" than the other pin.

There are no tears in either boot, but I'm wondering if I should replace the boots and bushings. I've read that others have had difficulty inserting the bushings in the bracket, so I'm not looking for more work, if I don't need to do this. If I thought I could replace the boots and bushings, I'd just do it since the parts are $10 and I'd have piece of mind. But I'm a little worried that I won't be able to get the new bushings into the bracket. So if there are tricks that will help, I'd appreciate the advice.

Here's a picture of the boot that seems to be working fine:




Here's the one I'm worried about:



And this is the same boot after pushing it in and out about 10 times. Eventually it collapses, so it's 5mm "shorter" than when I started.




Should I replace these, and are there tricks to removing the old bushings and inserting the new bushings without tearing the boot. I saw 1 DIYer put a socket around the boot, and then used the socket to gently hammer the bushing into the bracket. If there's a better way, I'm all ears. Thanks!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 6, 2021, 7:17 PM

Post #2 of 5 (975 views)
Re: 1 Boot kind of collapses when I push pin--should I replace? Sign In

Hammer? I don't know what you are hammering. The boot sits in a groove inside the bracket.

If the boot isn't torn or packed with rust, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you can move the pin in and out with your fingers. If the shaft is greased up, air pockets can mess with you and push back.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



rv-guy
New User

Mar 6, 2021, 7:45 PM

Post #3 of 5 (964 views)
Re: 1 Boot kind of collapses when I push pin--should I replace? Sign In


In Reply To
Hammer? I don't know what you are hammering. The boot sits in a groove inside the bracket.

If the boot isn't torn or packed with rust, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you can move the pin in and out with your fingers. If the shaft is greased up, air pockets can mess with you and push back.


Like I said, I'm new to this :) But I guess most boots are all rubber and go in pretty easily. On my Suburban, the boot is attached to this metal bushing. I've found 2 YT vids where people used a socket so they could hammer that bushing into the bracket. Another guy used a dremel to file down the lip so it would insert a little easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYI-fbFxR4E

Apparently, it's a real pain.

So, should I just not worry that one of my boots looks like it's collapsed. The pin ends up sitting about 5mm lower than the "healthy" one. I was afraid this might cause uneven pad wear.

Maybe I can ask this another way to eliminate my concern---those rubber boots don't actually move the caliper in any way right? Their only purpose is to keep the grease in and the dirt out, is that correct?




Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 6, 2021, 7:54 PM

Post #4 of 5 (962 views)
Re: 1 Boot kind of collapses when I push pin--should I replace? Sign In

That's a new one on me. I've never see one with the metal like that. I've been retired for a few years now.

If one bottoms out before the other, then you likely have some rust sediment packed in the base. As long as they fit over the new pads without forcing them, you are good. The only thing that will give you uneven pad wear is if they don't slide easily.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Mar 6, 2021, 7:57 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 7, 2021, 12:37 AM

Post #5 of 5 (932 views)
Re: 1 Boot kind of collapses when I push pin--should I replace? Sign In

rv-guy: Have you check on getting whole brackets already redone? Pins and boots should come completely apart to inspect, clean then grease (silicone as you said) and fussy but go back together. Then you get a good look at the pin, clean boots if reusable or decide to toss all that - they'll want the old ones back,


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