Q: How to remove and replace brake calipers, including precautions, removal procedure, installation steps, and necessary post-installation actions?
A: It is important to always replace calipers in pairs; never replace just one of them. To begin removal, loosen wheel lug nuts, raise and securely support the vehicle on jackstands, and then remove the wheels. Next, disconnect the brake hose from the caliper by removing the banjo bolt. Plug the hose to prevent contaminants from entering the brake system and to minimize brake fluid loss. If you're only removing the caliper for access, you can skip detaching the hose. Proceed to remove the caliper mounting bolts. Take out the caliper and, if needed, the caliper mounting bracket from the steering knuckle or rear axle carrier. For installation, reverse the removal steps. When installing the caliper, use new sealing washers on both sides of the brake hose banjo fitting. Tighten the caliper mounting bolts (and caliper mounting bracket bolts if they were removed). After installation, bleed the brake system. Finally, install the wheels and lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and properly tighten the lug nuts.