I just had my rotors resurfaced and bought Hawk ceramics brake pads. Upon starting the install, the front brake pads went in the caliper and on the rotor just fine. It's the rears that are giving me a huge headache!!

I have the service tool and was using it to turn the piston in but it doesn't seem to go in anymore. Where it's at now, there isn't enough room for the pads and rotor to fit in!!


OH! I also um....... had a slight miss. Upon pushing on the piston with the tool to turn it in, the whole part that the piston is in moved back a lot more than it seemed it should have! I pushed it back to where it should be but am worried I damaged something!


Any clues tips guys?

 

The piston should go back all the way into the caliper. once you start your car and pump the brakes pressure should return and the piston will slide to the back of the pad.

When you are using that piston key, you have to push in AND turn at the same time. It's tought, but it should slide back in. You might want to take the cap off the master cylinder too. As you push the piston in, fluid moves back into the MC and can build pressure with the trapped air

 

push and turn is what I've been doing and the cap is already off. Had some spillage with the fronts, none with the rears and I have turned them quite a bit. This is why I'm confused haha

 

Some rear brake pads are extra long & won't fit in the rear brake pads. I've gotten a set of those before you either need to grind them down or just put in one at a time until one side is small enough to fit both in.

 

Loosen the bleed screws and then try it...it will be a lot easier.....make sure you push/wind them all the way in

 

hmmm, I loosened the bleeder screw but no difference. It's still ridiculously hard to turn. The rubber around the piston seems all jumbled up. Is that normal? The piston is still far from being completely inside (the top is suppose to sit flush with the housing area right?)

 

Here is what i did, use the tool and spin the brake piston then take a C clamp and tighen it up. Then take the c clamp off and use the tool again. After a few times my piston went back in.

 

Sounds like you may need to do a rebuild....spray the seal with some silicone lube..and it should free it up..it needs to turn in the groove on the piston ....Once it starts to go in it gets easier as well.

BTW..the rebuild kit is about $20 I think...new piston seals and boots...well worth the work

 

Appreciate all the advice guys! I really do!!

I got the pistons to go in. I turned it counter-clockwise and then clockwise again and all is well.

NEW PROBLEM: The driver's side went in fine. The passenger side, however, doesn't fit! When I put the caliper with pads on, the outer pad is too thick or something and it isn't far back enough to screw the two bolts back in without leaving a gap! argh!!

 

You have to get some lubricant (high temp synthetic brake grease or brake fluid) around the piston where the rubber boot sits in the groove. Once it gets lubricated the rubber boot will slide better. Turn the piston with the tool SLOWLY and it will move, just take your time. Make sure there isn't a lot of dirt in there either. Remove the excess lubricant when you're done so it doesn't contaminate the pad faces.

 

Once again, thanks everyone for the help! All is well and installed!!

All the help was greatly appreciated,

Sam