I was not carefull enough when I did my front brakes and I put about a 1 inch tear in one of the caliper piston boots. I completed the job OK but did not replace it. I was told that it can be replaced without replacing or taking the caliper apart. Is this true and how hard is it to do? how important is it? I don't drive through rivers or mud bogs. Has any one replaced one?

 

I'm not sure if you can even get seal kits for calipers anymore. The only solution may be for you to replace them with rebuilt units. That outer seal is pretty important. With the tear in it, you will get dust, dirt and moisture between the bore and the piston, and eventually end up with a seized or leaky caliper that will cause more damage.

 

I bought the boot seal a Dodge, $8. Just need to find out what it takes to install it. I just did the free spin conversion myself so this shouldn't be a big deal.

 

From what I can find, you just pry out the old one from the edge and tap in the new one, correct?

 

Well, now the local brake shop says it takes a special tool and piston has to be removed and it's sounding like more of a project, anyone know about this?

 

OK, I guess I am the first one to do this. the caliper dust boot comes off easy and the new one just slips right on, use a little brake flewid to help it on. Then tap the edge and done. No special tools or magic procedures. $8 boot from dealer.

 

Hmm, glad to read this. Dad got a cut in his caliper piston boot too and he was thinking he needs to start looking for a caliper. Replacing the boot seems easy and cheap.