Which way to turn caliper piston tool for rear brakes?
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Which way to turn caliper piston tool for rear brakes?
I am doing my rear brake pads. I'm in a bit of a jam as the sun has gone down and I can't seem to get the rear brake caliper piston to go back into its housing.
Do I twist counter-clockwise?
Do I twist counter-clockwise?
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It's incredibly hard to twist clockwise, especially with one of the 14 mm nuts off (the caliper keeps swiveling on the other 14 mm bolt/nut). But I don't think that's the issue because even when I hold the caliper still, I can't seem to turn the piston clockwise.
I opened the cap to the reservoir where you add brake fluid in the engine compartment on the driver's side. Isn't this correct?
Either there's back pressure somewhere (because I didn't do something) or is it normal for it to be that hard to turn clockwise?
I opened the cap to the reservoir where you add brake fluid in the engine compartment on the driver's side. Isn't this correct?
Either there's back pressure somewhere (because I didn't do something) or is it normal for it to be that hard to turn clockwise?
#5
Boosted Kiwi
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It's incredibly hard to twist clockwise, especially with one of the 14 mm nuts off (the caliper keeps swiveling on the other 14 mm bolt/nut). But I don't think that's the issue because even when I hold the caliper still, I can't seem to turn the piston clockwise.?
What are you using to turn it with ? I use a pair of needle nose pliers
Correct for what ? That is where you add brake fluid if that is what you mean
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handbrake is off. already learned that lesson when i couldn't swivel the caliper initially to remove the brake pads!
i'm using a rear piston tool i rented at autozone. the kit has a bunch of wheels and you select one that fits your car. however, this tool uses a clamp turning mechanism and i'm wondering i'm not getting enough leverage. i'm going to autozone right now to buy the little square/cube thing that people have posted the pic of in this forum. that cube thing uses a ratchet and i believe i can get much more leverage with a ratchet.
i removed the cap to the reservoir to let brake fluid rise and air to get out as i push the piston back in. i should mention that i replaced the front brake pads first and afteward, the brake fluid in the reservoir had risen so much it was almost flowing out. so i used a syringe and sucked out some fluid. i thought this would make pushing the rear pistion in a little easier but it's still really difficult.
i'm off to autozone. thanks for the help so far.
i'm using a rear piston tool i rented at autozone. the kit has a bunch of wheels and you select one that fits your car. however, this tool uses a clamp turning mechanism and i'm wondering i'm not getting enough leverage. i'm going to autozone right now to buy the little square/cube thing that people have posted the pic of in this forum. that cube thing uses a ratchet and i believe i can get much more leverage with a ratchet.
i removed the cap to the reservoir to let brake fluid rise and air to get out as i push the piston back in. i should mention that i replaced the front brake pads first and afteward, the brake fluid in the reservoir had risen so much it was almost flowing out. so i used a syringe and sucked out some fluid. i thought this would make pushing the rear pistion in a little easier but it's still really difficult.
i'm off to autozone. thanks for the help so far.
#8
Boosted Kiwi
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i removed the cap to the reservoir to let brake fluid rise and air to get out as i push the piston back in. i should mention that i replaced the front brake pads first and afteward, the brake fluid in the reservoir had risen so much it was almost flowing out. so i used a syringe and sucked out some fluid. i thought this would make pushing the rear pistion in a little easier but it's still really difficult.
.
#10
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Thanks for all the help, everyone. Based on your comments and advice, I was able to finally get the rear done!
One thing I learned that I'd like to pass on is DO NOT rent the caliper piston kit (or buy it) at the auto parts store. I'm talking about the kit that has all the various wheels of different sizes combined with a clamp type turning mechanism. That device sucks.
The little metal square/cube that works with a 3/8" ratchet works much easier.
Another thing was that turning the piston clockwise was VERY DIFFICULT AT FIRST. For whatever reason, it seems to eventually loosen up and when it does, turning is pretty easy.
The advice to PUSH THE PISTON IN while turning was critical. It's not easy to feel the piston going in, so every now and then I would stop and look from the side to see that the piston was indeed moving a little farther back into its housing.
Also, don't forget to make sure the 4 grooves in the piston (where you put the piston turning tool into) are aligned perfectly at North, South, West, and East relative to the caliper (assuming the caliper is held in a horizontal orientation. This is because the rear brake pads have a circular bump sticking out of them, and this bump has to fit right into the South groove on the piston. Once the caliper is back in place over the rotor and brake pads, you will not be able to visually inspect. That's why you have to have the piston grooves at perfectly north, south, west, and east and assume the bump went into the south groove.
One thing I learned that I'd like to pass on is DO NOT rent the caliper piston kit (or buy it) at the auto parts store. I'm talking about the kit that has all the various wheels of different sizes combined with a clamp type turning mechanism. That device sucks.
The little metal square/cube that works with a 3/8" ratchet works much easier.
Another thing was that turning the piston clockwise was VERY DIFFICULT AT FIRST. For whatever reason, it seems to eventually loosen up and when it does, turning is pretty easy.
The advice to PUSH THE PISTON IN while turning was critical. It's not easy to feel the piston going in, so every now and then I would stop and look from the side to see that the piston was indeed moving a little farther back into its housing.
Also, don't forget to make sure the 4 grooves in the piston (where you put the piston turning tool into) are aligned perfectly at North, South, West, and East relative to the caliper (assuming the caliper is held in a horizontal orientation. This is because the rear brake pads have a circular bump sticking out of them, and this bump has to fit right into the South groove on the piston. Once the caliper is back in place over the rotor and brake pads, you will not be able to visually inspect. That's why you have to have the piston grooves at perfectly north, south, west, and east and assume the bump went into the south groove.
Last edited by Startl_Respons; 01-15-2008 at 12:26 AM.
#11
Boosted Kiwi
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glad to hear you got it sussed .
Next time you do a diy - have a look on here first and you may save yourself some grief .
I never thought about having to push it in at the same time - just always did it because the pliers jump out of the grooves if you don't - heh .
Next time you do a diy - have a look on here first and you may save yourself some grief .
I never thought about having to push it in at the same time - just always did it because the pliers jump out of the grooves if you don't - heh .
Last edited by Brettus; 01-15-2008 at 12:27 AM.
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#13
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Another thing is I did not read anywhere on this forum where someone told people to RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE when changing the rear brake pads.
#16
SARX Legend
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Wow did this today to install my slotted rotors and for some reason the passenger rear would not go in!!! I finally got it but what a bitch. Grungepup did his car with no issues at all Sorry just venting
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Put some pressure on it. I typically have to brace the caliper against one of the suspension arms and lean my body weight into it before it will start turning in. Otherwise it just sits there and spins where it is.
#20
Charles Bundy
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It may not be something that's recommended, but I have used a 12" C-clamp to spin and compress the rear pistons. And since the clamp has a swivel end and compresses as it is turned clockwise, it worked for me on both sides. I didn't change the fluids but I removed the cap off the reservior and took out, with a syringe, at least 10 cc of fluids. That brought the level up just below the 'high' line... And still, could slide a credit card between the new pad and the disc brake!
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 10-06-2012 at 10:06 PM.
#21
Wheels, not rims!!
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The piston should go in with hand forced pressure while turning clockwise. Be careful using a c-clamp while turning as it may ruin the thread inside the piston. The piston is threaded inside and practically acts as a nut that screws into a threaded rod in the cylinder (a screw).
If the piston is fully unscrewed to the point where its thread is not screwed into the rod and is actually SITTING on the rod. Try screwing it back with pressure on the piston. If you some how can't screw it back in, take the the piston out and examine the threads in it.
My piston was sitting on the rod unscrewed due to low pad material. The force developed during braking actually destroyed the threads inside the piston, while the threaded rod in the cylinder was fine (hardened steel). Using a c-clamp can create enough force to do the same damage. A rare situation, but it happens.
If the piston is fully unscrewed to the point where its thread is not screwed into the rod and is actually SITTING on the rod. Try screwing it back with pressure on the piston. If you some how can't screw it back in, take the the piston out and examine the threads in it.
My piston was sitting on the rod unscrewed due to low pad material. The force developed during braking actually destroyed the threads inside the piston, while the threaded rod in the cylinder was fine (hardened steel). Using a c-clamp can create enough force to do the same damage. A rare situation, but it happens.
#22
Mr. Örange
Here's a cool tip before twisting the rear caliper. Spray a little liquid wrench or wd40 on the boot before you twist. It'll let the caliper turn inside the boot without any worry of ripping the boot
Also a lot of auto stores will let you borrow a caliper tool set for free.
Also a lot of auto stores will let you borrow a caliper tool set for free.
Last edited by TANKERG; 10-07-2012 at 10:31 AM.
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