In the process of changing out front brake pads on a 1986 gl wagon and didn't realize I needed a special tool (I have it now) to compress and turn in piston.. So last night before I realized this, I pressed on the piston a little with a big C-clamp!! Does anyone think I might have damaged the threads in the piston???

Thanks in advance!!

Those threads are pretty hefty. I doubt you did any damage. If the piston turns in OK, you should be fine.

No I don't think you damaged anything.As long as the rubber seal around the caliper piston isn't cracked then there shouldn't be anything to worry about.Those calipers are pretty strong.

Actually the rubber boot around the piston is riped and partially missing?? What now??

 

No I don't think you damaged anything.As long as the rubber seal around the caliper piston isn't cracked then there shouldn't be anything to worry about.Those calipers are pretty strong.

The boot keeps dirt away from the seal, but you'd probably find most older Subarus on the road have torn boots. You can get a rebuild kit for less than $10 at Autozone. It's not hard to install.

i tried the C clamp thing unknowingly as well. i'm still alive, so i'm assuming that i didn't damage my brakes.

Wont have done any harm, and you dont need to use the special tool - various other things do the job, a large ROE spanner with a screwdriver through the ring end works well. Linemans pliers work well too.

ya use cresent wrench with screwdriver through the eye end, and rotate clockwise i believe.

 

 

 

~Josh~

yep, clockwise, and sometimes it seems like you're turning forever and getting nowhere...this is normal. one of my front caliper pistons takes a rediculous amount of turning to get back into its bore.

Oh, and dont touch the hand brake till youve got it back together, otherwise all your hard work turning the %&** caliper in will be undone!