Hey guys, today I was trying to install some brakes myself. Started on the passenger side and got to the part where I needed to compress the calipers. I used a tool from autozone. But it would not compress at all.

I had to put the old brakes back on, what am I doing wrong?

 

You had trouble with the rear calipers or fronts? Check the DIY section?

M A Z D A

 

take the cap of the fluid reservoir

 

Really? Someone else just told me that also.

I will try it tomm and see if it works.

Ill post back. Thanks

 

Was the rear, n I was using a DIY on this forum for the brakes, good so far just that darn caliper wont compress. But im gonna try to take the cap of the res n see if that works.

 

 

I watched that video yesterday, was the same thing I was doing. But the piston wouldnt go back and I was using a lot of force. So im gonna go try go take off the res cap off today and see if that works.

 

Mun1688 Does the piston just spin and not move inward? if so open (remove) the bleeder on the caliper itself. It is possible there is sludge keeping the piston from bottoming in calp housing.

 

Removing the cap from the brake master cylinder has NOTHING to do with being able to compress a brake caliper piston. There is a vent built into the BMC cap (to allow for gradual fluid level drop as the pads wear and the pistons have to expand). So by the same token the vented cap will allow any fluid being pressed back into the cylinder to do so without building up any pressure in the reservoir.

For standard calipers (no e-brake built in) if you cannot compress the piston with a large pair of channel locks (long jaw pliers) or with a piston compressor tool, then your caliper piston is siezed and you need to rebuild the caliper or replace it.

For rear calipers with the e-brake built in, they are made to compress by turning the piston clockwise with a special tool that costs about 10 bucks at most auto parts stores. If the piston will not turn at all with the tool then it needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

 

Need to push and turn at the same time. You want the one in the red box, not the little cube.