I'm trying to change out the front brake pads on my 83, but I'll be damned if I can collapse the driver's side piston. I even have one of those tools designed to collapse the thing, but it just isn't giving at all. Is there a trick I don't know about, like having to open up the bleed lines or something?

Thanks!

 

get a good C-Clamp

Open hydrolic line on the caliper

Use C-Clamp to squeeze caliper piston down.

In a pinch, when I didn't have C-Clamp, I've pushed on the piston with the wood end of a hammer! But clamp is so much easier.

Flush brake system. I like Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid. Best bang for the buck.

Apply high temp caliper grease on the caliper slide rod, most people miss this part. Greasing it allows the caliper to slide properly and not bind.

 

also make sure you watch the fluid level. as the piston goes in, the level rises. ive had it overflow all over the engine bay before.

 

If it's that hard to compress, be carefull because there could be some serious corrosion inside the caliper which can cause it to fail!

 

Ya hit it on the head inittab. That sucker was corroded solid. Don't know why I didn't think that the caliper was shot initially. Oh, I know why. Because it was the first friggin' one I started working on and being the wise mechanic that I am, I don't like tearing apart a companion part so I have something to compare to.

Now if I would have sucked it up and did the passenger side 3 hours ago... <sigh>

 

I hope you plan on doing the other side too. If you don't it's more then likely that even after the system is bleed one side will grab first or (more) and pull to one side.
It's always a good idea to crack open the bleed valve
to compress the pistons. I always check the grease
level for the front bearings when i change pads too.