Hello, I am in the process of replacing my rear brake pads in my '85 GSL. My problem is that the piston won't go back into the caliper quite enough for me to fit the new pads in. One side is so close that it needs less then a millimeter more of room to fit. When I try to screw the piston back in it'll turn but it just won't go back any farther. Anyone have any advice. Thanks alot.

Jesse

 

From what I've recently learned, it may help to pump the brake pedal to push the piston out and then compress it back in using a clamp.

If it really won't go in anymore, no matter what you try, you might want to get a new one.

 

For the rear calipers, the piston has to be screwed in. Using a clamp only works on the front brakes. You think pumping the brakes a little and then screwing it in more would help?

Jesse

 

Yea, thats how 85rx7gs and I got a stuck caliper on my 83 gs unstuck. Well, first we pounded on it with a hammer, to losen it, but seeing as your does move you won't need to do that. Pump the pedal like 2 or 3 times to get the caliper to stick out, then try lubricating the piston. then get a really big clamp and just force that sucker in. If that doens't do it, then try it a few more times, to try to losen it up. I've never had to do this, but I think if you take the cap off the master cylinder that might help also. Someone suggested I do that when i redid the brakes on the S, but I didn't bother. Good luck.

 

oops, you must have posted before i got done with my last post, I didn't realize that the rears get screwed in. I have no experience with rear disks (yet) so I can't help, sorry.

 

When I did brakes on my 7, I didn't remove the rotors, Just slapped pads on. (Now I know why they squeaked like hell. Not cheap pads, cheap install.) SO, I'm not sure if the rotor has anything other than the lug bolts holding it on the hub.

Is it possible that the rotor isn't sitting flat, or that the pads aren't pressed up against the rotor all the way?

If you've got the piston screwed all the way in, that's it, it's all the way in... BTW, it should be fairly flush with the caliper housing... And the dust boot should be tucked in it's groove.

 

Sorry. My mind was somewhere else. So the calipers in the rear screw in? Try pushing the pedal anyway and see what happens. If you had drums, I could tell you everything, but alas.

 

Make sure the notches on the piston line up with the corresponding notch on the brake pad.

If that doesn't help, try turning the piston with the master cylinder open or maybe even open the bleeder nipple.

 

Just screw it!..in. That's the only way to do it. Yes they can be tough, but it has to go all the way in like Pele said. I've used needle nose pliers to do the job.

 

I would be willing to bet the notch on the piston is not matching up with the notch on the brake pad. I've done that before, and you definately want to match those up. Also, what tool are you using to turn in the calipers? cuz they make a cool tool especially for that that connects to a ratchet and you can turn them in tighter.... before i knew about that tool, i was doin it with a needle-nose!

--eric

 

I used a vice grip. I kept screwing it in but it just wouldn't go in any farther. I'll try pumping the brakes a bit. It's not the notches. One caliper has a significant amount of room left that needs to go in.

Jesse