Sorry if this has been discussed but the forum wouldn't let me do a search.

I attempted to replace rear brake pads but ran into trouble trying to get caliper piston to retract using C-clamp (bleeder valve open). Is there any tricks of the trade that might help or is it seized? If seized, is it easy to pull the piston and rebuild with a kit (never done it before) or should I surrender and buy whole rebuilt caliper?

Thanks for your time.

 

you have to turn it back in to the caliper.. i think you just turn it clockwise and it goes back in..

 

When I'm doing brakes I compress the pistons by putting the old brake pad over the piston and then compress it with the c-clamp so it goes down evenly, with the bleeders closed so I don't have to bleed them. If it's seized, wouldnt waste time rebuilding it youre better off replacing.

 

You can't use a C-clamp on the rear calipers. The piston mechanism is threaded, so you have to turn the piston to get it to retract into the caliper. There is a special tool for this you can get at an auto parts store, or you can improvise with a set of long-nose pliers.

 

Get the tool it's only 8 dollars, I have 2, want to buy one.. j/k but also make sure when you assemble the rear pads, that the small nub on the pad is lined up with the notch on the caliper piston.

 

Thanks for all the quick responses...I will try it tonight and hope I didn't already screw it up with the C-clamp last night. So turn it clockwise right? Hope that doesn't tear the boot.

 

no, the boot is not attached but it will sure look like it will rip, just keep turning, buy a kit if you can at autozone or borroww one from them. It will make your life much easier. There was one instance where I did dwaku's brakes and the only way to get the piston in was to completly unscrew it and then screw it back in(it was really weird) if you do this, you will wind up with air in the lines and unless you can bleed them yourself a mechanic will charge you about 15 bucks to do it.

 

needle nose pliars. These will compress the piston with ease. Works everytime

 

Use some Wd-40 or PB plaster to keep the boot from sticking to the piston. It's is easy to tear the boot so be careful