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[stevejones]

I hope someone knowledgable is online now!! I'm parked in a spot that has to be cleared by 9am tomorrow and I have a problem changing front brake pads. I got the old offside ones out (knackering the sensor in the process) and had the usual problem of moving the piston back into the caliper so the new pads would fit. It was stuck so I pressed the brake pedal to lossen it up a bit. It moved out to the extent that I can now see fresh metal on the piston, but I don't think any seal is damaged. However, now it refuses to move in at all, and there is no way I can fit the new pads and caliper back on the car. How do I move the piston in again please!??

Steve

[JamesV6CDX]

First advice - don't force it from just one side, I broke on doing that.

It will go in, but you'll need to exert even and consistent force - you will probably also need to undo the brake fluid feed pipe to that caliper

[stevejones]

Will go and try again. If I undo the fluid feed will the brakes later need bleeding?

[markey mark]

undo the bleed nipple and put the caliper back on the car with the pad in it and lever the pad against the piston gets a more squarer push  

[philhoward]

If you try and lever it with a large screwdriver/prybar it might not go too straight.  Either try and use an old pad (if it'll fit..) or it you have access to anything flat, about 1 inch x 1/4 inch, use that but instead of just levering it, twist it instead with a spanner on the thin edge.

Think of a normal flat file - but it might be too fragile.  Insert it into the caliper so when twisted, one edge is hard against the disk, the other edge on both edges of the piston (outer and inner, given its hollowed out; something like 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock points).  Continue the twist - an adjustable spanner is best here.  This at least gives even pressure on the piston, so it should go squarely.

The "proper" tool is ebay 200237626025 - but i'm bidding on it at the moment!!

You don't have to wind these pistons in, do you??

[rickyboy]

I use the old brake pad and a clamp (like the one in the link).

http://www.amazon.com/Denali-12-Inch-Medium-Clamp-2-pack/dp/B000NDMO3K/ref=sr_1_23/105-8194420-3242054?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1215959801&sr=1-23

[stevejones]

Thanks all. I've been trying to avoid opening the bleed nipple but I've given in and the piston appears to be moving very slowly back in. I'll keep pushing. I've put the caliper back on with an old pad and a new pad and that's heloped the process. I'll get the 2 new ones on eventually I think.

Good news is I've done a drop link - bugger to get off though!

Can I be ars~d starting the other side now though...
Thanks all

Steve  

[FRE07962128]

For next time either you purchase a brake piston depression tool, or do what I have for years; use a modified engineers vice to slowly, with equal sided pressure, push it back till clearance is achieved.

[dbug]

Piece of wood on back of calliper, old pad across piston and G-clamp.  Either loosen athe bleed nipple or master cylinder cap.  Tighten G-clamp.

[Marks DTM Calib]

You should always open the blled nipple and ideally clamp the flexi brake line. Two reasons:

1) It gets the old brake fluid out of the caliper (coz its the only time it will all come out!

2) It stops you risking getting air pushed back up into the ABS unit or inverting the seals on the master cylinder.

[ians]

I use a small offcut of laminate flooring, block of wood and a lever.  Also open the bleed nipple to avoid forcing fluid back the wrong way.

[colin951]

Just joined the forum, just logged in & strangely I have just completed the same brake job on my omega this afternoon. All went well, having eventually got the calipers squeezed in, however the new pads are now dragging against the discs, which are getting warm/hot after some miles. Is this normal? Or should the brake pads retract from the discs so they run totally free?

[stevejones]

I finally got the new pads in after undoing the bleed nipple! Unfortunately I now have very poor brakes so I'll try bleeding them. I managed to do both drop links and the knocking noises reported on a previous post have gone - thanks all for the advice.

Great site