Trouble with reinstallation during front break job.
 

Hello!

I could really use some help with a trouble I'm having.

I am replacing my front break pads and rotors. I got everything disassembled, got the new rotor and break pads on. However, now I am having trouble getting the piston to go back into the bore so I can put the assembly back on. Do I need to bleed my breaks to allow for the piston to go back and give me the clearance I need to fit over the new pads/rotor? I tried using a C-clamp to force it back but the thing won't budge.

Seeing as I'm dead in the water until I figure this out, any help would be very gratefully received! :D

Thanks!

Did the piston move in any? Have you tried opening the bleeder screw to let out pressure while you push the piston in? That's the best way because you don't force fluid back through the ABS system.

It could be the caliper and piston just needs to be replaced. Is the piston cocked in the bore?

It didn't move at all. I was thinking of opening the bleeder(just wanted to make sure I was supposed to). The brake system was operating as intended before I started working on it. I will try the bleeding, plus a buddy of mine says he has a tool that helps push the piston back. I'll be seeing him tomorrow, and we can give that a try too. I did try using a c-clamp, but no movement. It was just a bit of a bummer as I was hoping to get 'er done so I could drive it to work tomorrow.

Thanks for the tips!

I get lazy and push them back in without bleeding too. To tell you the truth, my dually eats pads so quickly towing my 8400Lb boat/trailer around, that I just use a pry bar between the old pad and the rotor :eek: which makes for a 10 minute pad change. The tool your friend has should be alot easier than a c clamp, especially if it's a small clamp. If you do have to open the bleeder make sure no air is left in line. If it wont move with the bleeder open, it hung and time for a new caliper.

The easiest way is to loosen the master cylinder cap and compress the piston back into the caliper.

After the calipers are back on, tighten the cap and remember whenever replacing brakes to start the car and pump the brakes a lot of times to get the fluid back into the caliper.

Well, I did it! I loosened the MC cap as Billboost37 instructed and used a tool I got from Auto Zone to spread the caliper piston back into the bore. Funny thing was that the tool was too short for the Bonne, So I used a 1 inch socket and put a piece of duct tape on the end so the tool would not slip off. This made it tall enough to back the piston off and give me the clearance I needed!

With my fronts done, I need to decide if I should do the backs, or buy the parts and let a mechanic do it. I heard the back pistons are a bear with only a little bit of movement allowed, as well as the need to turn it.

Thanks again for all the tips. My front breaks work like a charm now! :)

P.S. I went with the Akebono pads and Brembo rotors.

Great to hear you got it fixed and did it yourself. I dont think the backs are that bad, the biggest thing is you get the tool to turn the pistons back in. You'll feel alot better about it if you do it yourself and know then, that you can do it again.

Glad to hear it worked.

On the backs..there's a different tool needed and they screw back into the bore. Brakes are fun, at least your year got 4 wheel disc. They gave my year an ugly horseshoe bracket.