Hole in front rubber boot ... now what?

[Steve Caroccia]

K, I went to paint my calipers, and a few days later I noticed I put the brakes on wrong (or I reversed the back plate with the fornt plate.) So, tonight I took the wheel off, loosened the top bolt, and slid the caliper off, and switched the brake pads back. BUT, I noticed the rubber boot had a small tear in it. So, 1) what happens now, am I leaking brake fluid? 2) Can I replace the rubber boot without replacing the caliper? and 3) just for general understanding, I assume the brakes work by stepping on the pedal, which compresses the hydraulic fluid, which compresses air in the piston, which push against the pads?

Thanks for all the help

[Dominic]

1) If fluid is not leaking, you are not leaking fluid. If its just a dust boot, you're fine... If it was a hose or something more important, you're not. Take a photo or describe it a little better if possible.

2) See #1

3) Simple:
- Press brake pedal
- brake pedal exerts force on master cyl.
- master cyl. exerts force on brake fluid in lines.
- brake fluid pressure presses on all 4 caliper pistons (slave cyls).
- brake calipers expand and squeeze against the rotor, causing friction, stopping the car.

If there is air in the lines the fluid will actually "compress" (i.e. change volume, not just pressure) and you will have weak brakes that feel spongy and not stiff. This is not a good thing. Brake fade is often a result of fluid boiling in the calipers which causes a vapor to form and thus is identical to having air in the lines - sucks really bad [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hope that helps for now.

[JAM]

Dominic is right, sounds like you just have a torn dust cover. You can replace that I belive without getting any other parts included. I think NAPA, autozone, etc sells just the dust cover boot. ;)