As noted. I am in the middle of a rear brake pad job and cannot compress the piston. Is there a special tool I need to push and turn the piston to make room for the new pads? It will not just push straight in. There is two divots on the piston which suggests a special tool for this job.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

There is a special tool for it, but you can also use pliers. Just put the jaws of the pliers in the divots, and twist. If the piston doesn't want to turn, then put a screwdriver between the handles of the pliers and use that for leverage.

I had the special tool, but none of the sides really fit right, so I ended up using the pliers anyway

 

Do I need a C clamp on the piston to compress it as well, or just the pliers? Thanks for the advice.

 

get a C-Clamp and squeeze the piston back into the housing and your done

 

I know that works for front pistons, but I tried to just compress the rear pistons with no luck. I am pretty sure they are not seized.

I did a rear pad job on a 90 something olds with rear disc and we had to compress the piston with a C clamp while turning the piston clockwise.

 

Big *** pair of channel locks worked for me.

 

dosen't work that way. you need that special tool. you can rent it at an auto store. I got rented mine from Auto Zone over here in Los Angeles, don't know whats over there. That tool would be the easiest way for you to "twist" back the piston.

The tool looks like a C clamp but with a silver dollar size thingy at the end with two nipples, those are the nipple that you stick into the caliper piston then lock the backing plate into the caliper "claws" then twist.

Good Luck

Oh yeah, remember to bleed the brakes properly. And have plenty of brake fluid handy.


-Ryan

 

No need to compress the piston back in. It quite litterly screws itself back into the housing, all you need to do is figure out a way to turn it .

~T.J.