Brake Caliper Slide Pins

Service or replace brake caliper slide pins and boots on front or rear calipers, ensuring smooth caliper movement and proper brake operation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Caliper slide pin kit (includes pins, boots, and hardware) × 1 — Use OEM specification or aftermarket equivalent for 2005 Viper
• Silicone brake grease (high-temperature synthetic) × 1 — Use synthetic caliper grease rated for 500°F+

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind wheels that will remain on the ground.
3. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground.
4. Raise vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-recommended lift points and support securely on jack stands.
5. Remove wheel completely and set aside.
6. Inspect brake caliper, rotor, and pads for obvious damage or excessive wear before proceeding.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the inboard side of the caliper (behind the caliper body). These caliper guide pin bolts should be identified for the specific Brembo caliper fitted to this vehicle; verify the correct head type and size (hex/Allen or external) before selecting a tool. Using a 10mm hex socket or Allen key, remove both upper and lower slide pin bolts. Keep these bolts as they will be reused. The caliper will now be free to pivot or lift away from the bracket.
2. 2

   Secure caliper and remove from bracket
   Carefully lift or pivot the caliper away from the brake rotor and pads. Support the caliper with a bungee cord, wire, or zip tie attached to a suspension component — DO NOT allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose, as this can damage the hose internally. If removing pads for inspection, note their orientation and remove them now. The caliper bracket remains bolted to the steering knuckle or rear upright.
   ⚠Never let the caliper hang freely by the brake hose. Always support it to avoid hose damage and potential brake failure.
3. 3

   Extract slide pins from bracket
   With the caliper removed, inspect the caliper bracket. The slide pins are pressed or threaded into the bracket housing (usually upper and lower positions). Pull or unthread each slide pin from the bracket. Some pins may be pressed in and require firm pulling; others may have light threading. If pins are severely corroded or seized, apply penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes before attempting removal. Remove the rubber dust boots from each slide pin bore in the bracket.
4. 4

   Clean slide pin bores and inspect bracket
   Using brake parts cleaner and a wire brush, thoroughly clean the slide pin bores in the caliper bracket. Remove all old grease, dirt, corrosion, and debris. Inspect the bores for scoring, pitting, or excessive wear — if damaged, the bracket must be replaced. Clean the outer surfaces of the bracket mounting ears where the caliper slides. Dry thoroughly with shop towels or compressed air.
5. 5

   Inspect and clean old slide pins
   Examine the removed slide pins for corrosion, scoring, pitting, or uneven wear. Minor surface corrosion can be cleaned with a wire brush and brake cleaner. If pins show deep pitting, scoring, or diameter reduction, they must be replaced — do not reuse damaged pins as they will bind and cause uneven braking. Clean reusable pins thoroughly with brake cleaner and dry completely.
6. 6

   Lubricate and install slide pins
   Apply a generous coating of high-temperature silicone brake grease to the entire shaft of each slide pin. Install new rubber dust boots onto the bracket bores if supplied in the kit. Insert each greased slide pin into its respective bore in the caliper bracket, ensuring it slides smoothly and seats fully. The pin should move freely in and out with light finger pressure — any binding indicates inadequate cleaning or a damaged component. Ensure dust boots seal properly around each pin.
   ⚠Use only high-temperature silicone brake grease — never use petroleum-based grease, which will degrade rubber components and cause seal failure.
7. 7

   Reinstall brake pads if removed
   If brake pads were removed, inspect them for remaining thickness (minimum 3mm friction material above backing plate). Clean the pad contact surfaces on the caliper bracket with brake cleaner. Install pads in their original orientation — inner pad toward the piston side of the caliper, outer pad toward the outboard side. Ensure any anti-rattle clips or shims are properly positioned.
8. 8

   Reposition caliper over rotor and pads
   If the caliper piston was not compressed and pads are worn, you may need to retract the piston slightly to fit the caliper over the rotor. Use a C-clamp or brake piston tool to slowly compress the piston into its bore — place a block of wood or old brake pad between the tool and piston to distribute pressure evenly. Carefully position the caliper over the rotor and pads, aligning the slide pin bolt holes with the greased slide pins in the bracket.
   ⚠Compressing the piston will push brake fluid back into the master cylinder reservoir. If the reservoir is full, fluid may overflow — check reservoir level and remove fluid with a turkey baster if necessary before compressing pistons.
9. 9

   Install and torque slide pin bolts
   Thread both upper and lower slide pin bolts (10mm hex head) through the caliper mounting ears and into the slide pins by hand. Ensure bolts thread smoothly without cross-threading. Once both bolts are hand-tight, use a torque wrench with the correct hex/socket to torque each slide pin bolt to the manufacturer's specification for the 2005 Viper Brembo caliper (verify value in service manual). The caliper should now be secure but still able to slide slightly on the pins during normal operation.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Verify caliper operation
    Before reinstalling the wheel, manually check that the caliper can slide freely on the pins by attempting to move it slightly side-to-side (perpendicular to rotor). Movement should be smooth with no binding. Inspect all slide pin dust boots to ensure they are properly seated and not torn. Verify that the brake hose has no kinks or damage and is not under tension.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Position the wheel onto the hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench until snug but not fully torqued. Raise the vehicle slightly with the jack to remove load from the jack stands, then remove jack stands. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheel, torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142.4 Nm (105 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Restore brake pedal feel
    Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times (5-10 pumps) to restore proper pedal height and ensure the caliper pistons are properly positioned against the pads. The pedal should feel firm and normal. If pedal feels soft or goes to the floor, DO NOT drive the vehicle — recheck all caliper hardware and brake line connections.
    ⚠️Never drive the vehicle without first pumping the brake pedal and verifying firm pedal feel. Failure to restore pedal may result in no braking on first application.

Reassembly

1. Repeat this procedure for the opposite side caliper (left/right) to ensure balanced brake performance.
2. If servicing both front and rear axles, complete all four corners for comprehensive maintenance.
3. Check brake fluid reservoir level after completing all calipers and top off with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary — do not overfill.
4. Torque specifications are critical for brake system safety — always use a calibrated torque wrench for all fasteners.

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle in a safe area at low speed (under 20 mph) and verify smooth, even braking with no pulling to either side.
• During initial brake applications, listen for abnormal noises such as grinding, squealing, or clicking that might indicate improper assembly.
• After the test drive, recheck all slide pin bolts and wheel lug nuts for proper torque.
• Inspect the area around each serviced caliper for any signs of brake fluid leakage.
• Verify brake pedal feel remains firm and consistent — if pedal is soft or travels further than before service, investigate immediately before further driving.

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