Ok this should be simple, but how do you compress the pistin in the brake calipers? I tried useing a c-clamp but that didn't work.

Turn em clockwise with the notch's. You can use a pair of pliers, a cube brake caliper tool or a piece of pipe similar in diameter to the caliper and notched to match the caliper piston.

Turn em clockwise with the notch's. You can use a pair of pliers, a cube brake caliper tool or a piece of pipe similar in diameter to the caliper and notched to match the caliper piston.

 

Ok I can turn it but it dosn't look like its moving into the caliper

It is a very slow process, as it will move a little bit for each full revolution of the piston. You can also go to Harbor Freight Tools and get a universal brake caliper set and that will compress the piston in very short order.

 

 

Make sure that you have the master cylinder open. If that is closed, the piston will never compress due to the pressure buildup in the master cylinder resevior.

 

Good Luck

Sometimes I've had to crack the bleeder open a tad to release some pressure as I turned/push them in.

Someone a while ago suggested using the pin wrench that you use to change the cutting disks on your angle grinder?

 

I tried it and it works.

 

Now if you don't have an angle grinder...

 

Be patient, turn slow

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer--used pin wrenches, channel locks, screwdrivers to turn the brake pistons.

84 GL Mad Max

01 Forester

Turn slowly and release pressure by opening the bleeder screw on the caliper. There's a check valve in the master cylinder that doesn't allow for back-flow from the caliper.

Ok I had an extra caliper in front of me and the computer, I haven't done this on the car yet. I was using a pair of channel locks to turn it.

The Universal kit seemed to work the best for me, i've done the brakes on mine twice now (Girlfriends a two footed driver).

it's excruciatingly slow sometimes. if it's too difficult you may want to consider rebuilding the caliper.

 

calipers with the emergency brakes must have the piston screwed in clockwise, calipers with no emergency brake may have the piston just pushed striaght in with a clamp or something.

When I did mine, turning the piston in would retract the parking brake mechanism but not pull the piston back. However, once that slack was created, gentle pressure from a C-clamp could easily push the piston into the caliper.

 

How hard is it supposed to be to turn the pistons? I used one of those cube tools and I was worried about stripping either it or the place that it grabs on the piston because the pistons were so hard to turn.

When I did mine, turning the piston in would retract the parking brake mechanism but not pull the piston back. However, once that slack was created, gentle pressure from a C-clamp could easily push the piston into the caliper.

 

How hard is it supposed to be to turn the pistons? I used one of those cube tools and I was worried about stripping either it or the place that it grabs on the piston because the pistons were so hard to turn.

 

my personal trick was taking a spare 13/16ths spark plug wrench and taking my grinder to it and notching it out to the correct shape so it matches up. Then wa'la - you have the compactness of a socket with the leverage of a ratchet (not to mention you dont have to reset it or change hand postition) - I can take a picture if you want. Plus my pistons were UBER-hard to get in as well, just take your time and dont break/strip anything.

 

- Erik -

Ground a socket as per Bratwurst, then use a short extension and my Makita variable speed drill, run 'em in slowly , sometimes need a sharp tap to start, and save wrist for beer lifting...

Ground a socket as per Bratwurst, then use a short extension and my Makita variable speed drill, run 'em in slowly , sometimes need a sharp tap to start, and save wrist for beer lifting...

 

That's the spirit:drunk: !

Can I get a pic of the socket please?