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Hey guys and gals,
I will not get into the whole story, at least not today, on how I started this project but I am "refreshing" the front and rear suspension and brakes in my '02 GS430.
I apologize in advance if this has been covered, since I am one of those who frequently recommends using the search button, but after 3 hours hours looking in CL, Google and the shop manual I am not finding the answer; even worse, I have conflicting answers.
Our front calipers have two pins, both hexagonal in shape: Caliper slide pins. Bushing goes in the one circled in red.As per the pic above, one pin has a bushing and one does not.
Now, my question is,
Which slide pin goes up/down/left/right on the torque plate, as you are looking at the rotor?
Thank you
FrankT,
Thank you for your response.
I have to say, you definitely do not need to see an ophthalmologist. Wow! I am guessing you have eaten your carrots cause you have to have 20/20 vision.
Until you pointed it out I hadn't notice the pad support plates.
Funny thing is my diagram is from when I had a subscription to the TIS for my 2002 GS.
In any case I think you are correct and I will install the bushing pin in the bottom.
Again, thanks for your expertise.
Hey guys, the answer to this appears to be in the diagrams. If you compare both diagrams you will they both actually show the pin bushing in the most "clockwise" position, because one diagram shows the caliper left of TDC and the other shows it right of TDC....hence the confusion with upper and lower location.
Another note, the bushings swell badly with the wrong lube or cleaner, so if you are fighting to reinsert the pins or have a sticky one, you have likely used the wrong lube or cleaner and you will need new bushings.(this from experience) Spend the $5 on bushings, do it right and don't ever comprimise on safety.
A bore cleaning swab is great advice, I have also found a 410 gauge shotgun or mid size pistol cleaning wire brush does wonders inside the pin bore, failing that a 1/2" x 2" strip of wet dry sand paper wrapped onto a slotted 5/16" dowel makes a great high speed bore polishing tool on the end of your drill... this one compliments of my first Lexus mechanic, Nigel P. Waterloo, ON.
Last edited by sbryant324; Nov 10, 2018 at 03:11 AM.
I can see you wanting to put it right where the factory did if it gives you peace of mind, but i will tell you it makes no difference. I work on every kind of car all day every day and brake jobs are obviously among one of the most common jobs I get. I've seen the same cars have the slide with rubber on top, on bottom, one top on left, one bottom on right, rubber completely missing, etc, etc. All that matters is that the slides are clean and lubed and the brakes will wear even. The pistons in the calipers could care less. They apply force over the same area regardless.
My experiences were different from what several people said. I had a slight rattle from that bushing missing. Finally found some Wagner pins that matched the OEM design. Would have gotten OEM hardware had it not been stupidly expensive.
As a side note, use ONLY silicone based grease on those pins! I used Napa's Sil Glyde. Any of the ceramic **** will swell the rubber and make a mess in the slide pin bores. I had to use a drill and brush to clean mine.
Thanks, came here looking for some logic. Bushing goes most counterclockwise with the rotation of the wheel.
An additional bushing in the direction of rotation made sense, but thanks for posting both diagrams!
I figured if someone took the time to design them differently, it probably mattered.
Front Brake Caliper Bolt/Guide Pin w/Bushing?
