brake caliper piston boot came off, help

I was compressing the front caliper piston with a caliper tool, and it slipped and pulled the boot/seal out on one side.
Can I just pump the brakes to extend the piston and put it back on, or is there more to it?

Help!
Thanks!!

(2nd gen, 2011)

 

That's the dust cover boot that protects the actual seal. It's held in place by a metal snap ring on the outer edge, and ID of the boot sits inside of a groove in the piston. Take out the ring carefully so you don't damage the boot, then clean the boot and re install (I wouldn't spray brake cleaner on your caliper without the boot in place, it can displace the "red rubber grease" that lubricates the actual piston seal). Worst case scenario is you need a new boot. They're cheap. I rebuilt my calipers last summer.

 

Just to be clear, I'd extend the piston out to find this metal snap ring, correct? And I should be able to do this without completely removing the caliper?
Thanks!

 

Here is where your snap ring is. I've circled where you can see both ends of the snap ring touch. Along with lines that follow the snap ring. It takes a few small flatheads, and maybe some needle nose pliers to remove it. Be careful not to tear the boot. You shouldn't need to extend the caliper.

 

Much good karma to you sir. Very helpful, wasn't too hard to get it back in place. Phew.

 

Glad you got it fixed!

 

My boots are damaged somehow. Do they need to be replaced? And how critical of a part is this?
Thanks!

 

I would definitely replace those ASAP.

They seal out moisture and debris from the brake pistons and their respective cylinders. Once they corrode, it's probably easiest to replace the calipers.

The new dust boots will probably come with piston o-rings as well, so you might just replace those at the same time. Then be sure to bleed the brakes.

...maybe just get a reman caliper and replace the whole thing anyway.

 

Agree with @COTundie get a reboot kit from Toyota. I believe you can find them or just get reman calipers.

 

I'm actually in the process of getting some GX460 calipers and upgrading my brakes. This pushed me over the edge lol thanks for the advice guys.