So I bought some powder coated akebono calipers and noticed some of the dust boots are bulging out. I'm guess that ocured when powder coater attempted to place them back. Question is can I leave them as is or should I get a rebuild kit and replace them? While on the topic. anyone replace the dust boot and o-ring on the Akebono brakes? I especially want to know how do I remove the piston? I have no air compressor.

example of one boot

 

Is the boot torn? If it isn't, then I'd leave it alone. The little wrinkles at the fold where it turns back into the caliper will always vary a bit. I have noticed them looking "asymmetrical" (part in, and part out, unevenly around the piston) before, but it always took care of itself as the piston moved in/out through the normal range of motion.

One other thought though is whether that boot was exposed to harsh chemicals (used to strip the caliper before painting) which have caused the rubber to stretch/swell/wrinkle up like that.

You definitely need to verify the boot is not torn or able to allow contamination into the caliper. If it is, it has to be changed.


Rebuilding is really not hard, and you don't have to own an air compressor to do the job. The calipers are quite portable and compressors are available all over the place. Honestly, (and no offense intended) if that aspect alone is stopping you, you may want to reconsider if you are up to the job in the first place.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/G37/Sedan/2010/BR.pdf

 

They are not torn. Just misaligned. For peace of mind I'm going to replace them all. Just don't know if I will do myself or have installer installing the BBK to do it for me