I'm doing my brakes but have run into a huge problem...My damned pistons will not go back into the caliper! I'm hoping theyre not frozen! i dont have the "tool" to spread them. Is there a trick to doing this?
I'm screwed if i cant get this fixed! I need to at least be able to put the old pads back on.
Help!
TIA,
Manny

 

If you're not pushing the piston squarely back into the bore it will refuse to budge since it will rock sideways in the bore and get stuck. Mine do it on occasion if I'm not being careful enough.

If you don't have the tool the easiest way it to leave the old pads in the caliper and remove the caliper from the upright. Then insert two large screwdrivers or wrenches between the used pads and pry apart to push the pistons back.

 

use a set of the welders vice grips, and just slowly push them back in.

 

Make sure you open the bleeder valve before trying to push them back. I use a 24mm wrench with a shop towel wrapped around it to push the calipers back.

 

Are we talking the fronts or rears? The rears need to be "turned" and basically screwed back in

Stephen

 

Good point. I was thinking of the thread in the 3rd Gen sectioned titled "Front Brake Problem" and just assume this was the same thread.

 

Ahhh, I hadnt seen the thread in the 3rd gen section so the rears poped into my head lol

Oh well...either way we should have him covered haha

Stephen

 

Just put new rear rotors/pads on and rebuilt the rear calipers.
My old used pads were actually thicker than the new pads.
I wanted to break in my (new) rotors with my (old ) pads but couldn't compress the pistons enough so I had to use the new pads.

Doing the rear brakes is a really sh..t job, right up there with the oil pan gasket and pulsation dampner jobs

 

sad to admit...front calipers 5, Me a whoppng 0. I went out to R&S strauss bought a caliper tool, didnt fit. Went to autozone, rented out a "kit" that doesnt fit either. Fine, went to hardware store, got a C clamp, twisted the handle and didnt work. Removed calipers, tried using the old pads to pry the pistons appart but cant get enough leverage. Even called local(walking distance) shops and nobody wants to touch it.
I had one caliper with 3 pistons pushed in but in order to get the last one in i pushed the others out thinking that might help with the binding but it did the opposite...right back where i started.

 

It's possible that the piston is ****-eyed.

You might check this thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/brake-caliper-piston-removal-333883/