I am trying to change the brakes on my car and I can't get the brake calipers to go back in so they can fit over my new pads. I have been trying to use a C clamp but it is not budging. Is there something that I need to do to relieve the pressure? Any helpful hints?
2006-09-02 12:10:53 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
On some brake calipers you will have to spin the piston in like a screw to get it to retract.
2006-09-02 12:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by jerr_ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
front or rear? The rears need to be rotated in with a special tool. The front should go right in. If you push it in at an angle it can cock the piston and ruin the seal or piston. Be careful! I usually crack open the bleeder too as I don't want the fluid to go back up to the master cylinder or worse the abs unit. the fluid at the back of the pistone is usually the dirtiest fluid in the system as that is where most of the heat is. just my 2 cents. If it still won't go, the piston is seized and the caliper need to be replaced and re-bled.
2006-09-02 13:06:12 · answer #2 · answered by peanut23536 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience a caliper that won't retract with a C clamp is defective. That's assuming you used one large enough for the job. If you had premature wear this is likely the case.
Make sure you use something such as the old pad, if there is enough left, to lay across the caliper to distribute pressure evenly.
2006-09-02 15:29:30 · answer #3 · answered by scooba 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very strange that even using a clamp it wont go in.
Im not sure that they are like a "screw" needing to be screwed in. Do they rub against the pad? That is just strange.
If it is stuck with the C clamp, then you're not doing it right. The cylinder has to go in very straight otherwise it will get stuck.Clamp it in the middle, not the side. If you can't, use a small wood block as a crossmember with the C clamp.
I usually can get it in with a pair of plumbing tool.
2006-09-02 12:50:00 · answer #4 · answered by hocky_06 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may sound rather remedial, but, have you opened the bleeder valve on the caliper? It is a small screw at the bottom of the caliper.
2006-09-02 18:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by d_cider1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you need a special tool from Honda - take it to the parts counter.
2006-09-02 12:12:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the cap off your master brake reservoir, and see if that relives the back pressure.
2006-09-02 13:08:18 · answer #7 · answered by Russ G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if this is the rear brakes you are working on you need a special tool to push in the piston.
2006-09-02 19:55:45 · answer #8 · answered by shel_bug66 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋