I've changed lots of brake pads over the years, but this is first run at the Maxima. Can someone tell me how they collapse the rear pistons once the caliper is removed so the new pads will fit?

Having a bit of difficulty.

thx.

 

You need to turn the piston clockwise so that it will go in.

 

How difficult should it be to turn? I can't do it by hand or screw driver. So the old C-Clamp method won't work, huh? I need to apply pressure and turn at the same time?.

Where can I get this "cube tool" that everyone is talking about....sorry for all the questions.

thx.

 

goto a pepboys or autozone or even sears

 

Nah you don't need fancy tools. You can do it with a pair of channel lock pliers. Just grab the piston, and turn it.

 

If you have an older car I would suggest buying the tool. Any Napa or local parts store will have it. My rear calipers were basically frozen. It took a lot of grunt work to turn them. The tool was necessary for my older (95) high milage car.

 

And when they get like that, they are hard as a ***** to turn.

 

next time that I'm going to change my brakes I will do a write up, anybody wants to do it before me?

 

I did one few months back. Damn the search feature is disabled for non-donaters!

 

Mine are hard to turn as well (even with the tool). I'm gonna pull them all off and rebuild them soon.

Hell, I should've done that last September when my tranny blew up...my car's been sitting in the drive way motionless since then.

If you really can't get them turned in, you may want to try loosening the bleeder valve for that caliper...be warned, though...you'll have to bleed that caliper after doing it.

 

The tool is inexpensive and easy to find. The one I found is a cube shape with different pin configurations on each face and fits onto a 3/8" drive ratchet or extention. Keep an eye on the dust boot while you are turning the piston back in because it can stick to the piston and tear if you are not careful. Mine were stuck so I used a very small flathead screwdriver with the tip dipped in brake fluid to free it and to lubricate it. Worked like a champ but the piston was a little tough to turn.

 

You can also rent a rear caliper tool for free at autozone. They make you put down a deposit, and you get it back when you bring the tool back.