ok as some of u may remember i just put my rear pads on a couple weeks ago and asked about the caliper pistons and how to get them back in the caliper to put them on. The answer was not to use a c clamp but to use needle nose pliers to twist it back in, which worked perfectly. Now im going to be doing the front pads and want to know about doing those...is it possiable to twist them in with the needle nose again? ir do i need the c clamp. thanks -Ryan

 

Def. need the C clamp for fronts

 

the only reason you have to turn in the rear pistons is because of the e-brake cables being attatched to the calipers. When you pull on the e-brake, the cables pull an arm that turns the piston to keep it in place for when you park with the brakes on.

 

A32Matt's right... also, I think that the front pistons don't have those little notches that the back pistons have, so I don't think you would be able to turn them with pliers even if you wanted to. C-clamp time! They're like five bucks at a hardware store, if I remember right... I bought one just for my last brake job.

 

nice, ok thanks guys ill just go to like menards or somthing then -Ryan

 

Just pull off your master cylinder cap and shove the pistons straight back in you don't need to twist them at all. I didn't even need tools to push mine back in.

 

Don't leave the cap off too long. If you can get away with leaving the cap just slightly on (not twisted), that is better. Next time, you may want to check your fluid level before pushing the pistons back in. If the level is high, you should remove some fluid to keep it from spilling all over. If you leave the cap off too long, the fluid will absorb moisture from the air and that moisture will end up in your brake lines. Too much moisture leads to corrosion and loss of brake efficiency.

 

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