K...Coupla questions.

I'm replacing my rear rotors and brake pads...everything's straight forward except I can't get the caliper to retract. I've loosened the bleed screw and turned the caliper and pushed and clamped. What am I doing wrong?

I'm trying to re-tighten the lower suspension bolt (the one that also attaches the rear sway bar). Problem is that the bolt keeps spinning and I can't get anything thing enough in there to clamp it down. It also looks like a round flange so it'll prolly not grab. Any other suggestions?

TIA.

 

You need to use a wrench to hold the other end of that bolt while you tighten it. I think I used a 14mm open end.

 

on the FC rear calipers you have to screw them in. not push them. probably the same. something to do with the e-brake cable. there is a tool to do it with but I think you can do it with some needle nose too.

 

Something I found when screwing in brake pistons is that you have to turn the piston very slowly. If you turn it too fast it will not retract.

Did you try turning the piston real slowly?

 

Thx for all the replies:

Brake: I turned the piston slowly, quickly, with pressure on piston, without pressure on piston...it just sits there and mocks my mechanical ineptitude.

Suspension: The flange on the opposite side of the nut seems to be round. I tried using a 14mm and 15mm open end wrench on it but it just spins in the jaw. I may end up purchasing a skinny long nose ViseGrip but I'd hate to mar up the flange for no reason.

Thx again.

 

I use one of those "Hellraiser Cube" brake piston retractors you can get from the auto parts store for $10 to retract the pistons. be sure you are applying a lot of pressure and that you are turning it to the right.

Both of the fasteners for the rear sway bar links can be held with a wrench. The one that attaches to the sway bar is 14mm, and the one you are working on is 17mm, I think. The part you hold with the open-end wrench is round, but has two flat spots that you can grip with the wrench, IIRC.

-Max

 

I think Max is right, that bolt is round and had 2 flat spots. Make sure you are gripping it in the correct area. Its been a few months since I worked in that area but this is how I remember it.