Q: How to overhaul and install brake calipers on Toyota Land Cruiser?
A: Before starting it, in case it requires overhaul, which is often because of leakage, look for everything you can. Fortunately, new and factory rebuilt calipers are on an exchange basis, therefore, making the job easier. In case rebuilding the calipers, then, make sure there is a rebuild kit on hand and then always rebuild in matching pairs. It is worthy of note that the procedure described above applies to both four-piston and single-piston type of calipers; front and rear disc brakes alike. Start with the banjo fitting bolt which has to be unscrewed and the brake hose to be disconnected from the caliper, sealing washers have to be discarded and brake hose has to be plugged to ensure no contamination. Loosen the piston about half way and then unscrew the mounting bolts and take out the caliper. To overhaul: For piston, boot set ring, and boot for each piston, using a wood block to cover caliper when the piston is being pulled out. Blow air in to push the piston out gently to avoid being cut by the sharpend edge of the piston. When replacing the four-piston calipers, unscrew the bolts to compound the halves and push out the end seals; in this process check the areas of the radial contact; if there is a sign of scoring and rust then change the caliper is mandatory. If the piston seal has check liners, use wooden or plastic to remove it because use of metal tools may spoil the liners. In the case of single piston calipers push out the sliding bushes and pull off the dust covers. Use brake cleaner to clean all components, and before fitting the new piston seal and piston, soak them in the brake fluid before fitting them correctly to the caliper bore. Place the new dust boot and set ring, and by calipers that have four piston, soak the new end seals in brake fluid when tightening the two halves of the calipers. Schmooze the contact points of the sliding pin, sliding bushing, and torque plate bore in single-piston calipers with silicone - based grease and fit the dust boots. Last of all, to reassemble the caliper, reverse the above steps, replace the copper sealing washers at the brake hose to caliper end, and bleed the brake circuit to ensure no leakage and that the brakes are in good working order before getting the vehicle back to use.