2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Changing front pads on 4-piston caliper?

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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 04:03 PM
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Changing front pads on 4-piston caliper?

Is this incredibly difficult? I had issues rotating the caliper when I was changing the single caliper rear brakes. Is this going to be like next to impossible for me to do, or is receding the pistons in a 4-caliper system much easier?
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 04:07 PM
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Get the stupid tool.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 04:23 PM
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The tool would probably make things a breeze, but I had no major difficulties pushing in the front pistons. For the rear, next time I'll probably just buy the stupid tool.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 04:59 PM
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I've GOT the cube-looking "tool" from autozone to twist the calipers, but that's gonna be hard to use on the front where you can't probably fit the tool and the wrench inside the caliper.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 05:50 PM
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you don't even need to take the calipers off. front pads are easy. they slide right out the front. you should be able to push the pistons back in with a little force with a screwdriver or something pressing against the rotors. if not. you need to rebuild them.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 06:45 PM
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Doing the front pads is the easiest thing on the car, the rear is a little more difficult.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 06:53 PM
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i just undo the bottom bolt and push the pistons in with a c clamp
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 07:50 PM
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Piece of cake on the front 4 piston. Remove pad clip. m springs, then pull out pad pins. I push 2 pistons in using the old pads, then remove pad and shims. Install new pad and shims, then start on the other pad.
The reason I do it this way, 'cause if you remove both pads and push in on 2 pistons, pistons on the other side come out. Reverse for installation of hardware.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 08:53 PM
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Take the cap off the MC Turbonut. Should stop it from doing that.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 10:05 PM
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worked good for me.. cept I can't get the FRIGGIN' ROTOR OFF BECAUSE OF THOSE STUPID SET SCREWS.. both of those bastards stripped.. now I'm drilling 'em out.. screw 'em.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 11:33 PM
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You dont need to remove the calipers to change out the front pads! Just take off the retainer for the dowels holding in the pads and slide the pads out. Piece of cake. As far as pushing the pistons back in, you just pry on the old pads with a screwdriver while the are still in to push the pistons back in. Like said before, the front pads are one of the easiest things to do on the car.
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 01:30 AM
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autozone will have the cube tool for the rear brakes. before you take the front caliper off use a screwdriver and pry the rear brake pad on the rotor to push the pistons into the caliper. and those set screws, the tool for it is an impact driver, they got that at autozone too.
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 01:41 AM
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Ok so if youre rebuilding them, how do you get the pistons out? I don't have easy access to an air compressor where I am . Am I SOL?
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 06:52 PM
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After you remove the four bolts that hold the calipers together, you now ave two halves.
you can just get a set of channel lock(being careful) and get a good grip on them turn them in a circle from side to side to help loosen them up then pull straight up and they should come out...helps to have the calipers clamped down, as mine where hard to get out cause they had been sitting for a long time.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 05:10 AM
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Aren't you not supposed to seperate the 2 sides of the caliper like that? I thought I read in the manual somewhere not to take those bolts off. Will doing that hurt anything or cause any problems?
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 06:25 AM
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i wouldnt, id be afraid of the channels in there for the brake fluid
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 01:48 PM
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Originally posted by M5150
i wouldnt, id be afraid of the channels in there for the brake fluid
be afraid of what? that they wouldn't line up right etc?
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 01:57 PM
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If no air compressor, try putting pieces of wood between the pistons and the rotor, leaving the one that is stuck open to move out. When brake depressed, the piston will move out from the pressure. Then move the wood around. I've always used air pressure with caliper off, but can't see why this wouldn't work.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 04:35 PM
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From: "You take my car, I take your knee caps"
after reading this thread i decided to finally do my front breaks........sooooo easy...... took me like 20 min, and thats jacking up the car and stuff. the only minor setback was, was trying to figure out how the stupid spring thing goes back in..... take a good mental pic before you take it apart. other than that.....there is absloutly no need to take off the caliber. the pads just slide out the back of it....as for the pistons... i just took some big *** flyers and pulled the pads away from the rotor.. and it was fine.
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