Okay, I have the correct tool to rotate the piston clockwise back into the caliper, but seems fairly stiff, and the boot is twisting. Is the boot supposed to twist? Is there some lubricant or way to release the boot to avoid tearing it? I have done front pads many times, but this is a first for me, and the manuels don't address this. Any help would be appreciated.

Bary

 

Try gently lifting the edge of the rubber boot and lube it with a little brake fluid; don't use grease or oil. After you lube it, you should be able to take the twist out of it by hand. Avoid pliers if you can. If you can't, be very gentle; a torn boot is useless and will have to be replaced.

 

ran into the same problem recently. the boot twists bc there is a build up of surface rust in there. i couldn't get mine free w/o taking the piston out and then cleaning and reinstalling the same boot. try to get it loose as described by sinwave but if that doesn't work you'll have to take the piston out and clean in the recess with a wire brush. i used a 3/4" round plumbing brush and brake cleaner. there is also another seal just behind the boot which i also took out and cleaned, then lubricated with brake fluid and reinstalled. check the inside of the caliper bore for scoring and pls report back here what you find. good luck.

 

I guess I'm lazy.. I just turn the piston past where it's supposed to go, then turn it back until the boot straightens out.

 

when I tried turning it back to get the boot to straighten back up, the piston would retract (it's suppose to) and then I didn't have enough room to get the caliper over the new pads.

 

Hmmm... turn it back another 1/2 ot 1 turn farther than it needs to go.. once mine got all the way back, it stopped coming back out when I turned it the other direction. ????

 

last night i tried putting on my new rear pads and i discover my boot is not sealing the piston at all .pistons got rust n hard clumps of dirt..now i need new calipers...this sucks..as for the other rear wheel its the same way but one of the pads are done and eating my rotor...btw how much u think this will cost and y do u need a special tool instead of a c clamp...

 

check out this thread:
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http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....threadid=22814