In the middle of changing rear brakes, but I've got a question! *CHANGED*

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rear_brakes.jpg

The pads were worn almost entirely down. I managed to get the caliper off without retracting the piston, as per haynes instructions. However, with new pads I need to retract the piston a half inch or so. I have the brake reservoir cap off. I have the twist tool to compress it back in, but my problem is it doesn't seem to twist. I'm trying to go clockwise. You can see by the pic that the piston already seems basically all the way back, but that was its state with worn pads, so how can I make it go even further back!? I don't want to take a breaker bar to it, and like I said it already seems fully retracted

tia!

*EDIT* Thanks! It's stiff, but it's turning now with the breaker bar and it's not toooo brutal. I gotta do taxes before I finish though

*CHANGED* Well I changed them. That piston went in. The one on the other side all but ruined my hands compressing it the needed amount, but I finally got it in and changed the old brakeroos!

 

[T2T III]

It should compress more than that. Usually, mine have gone flush with the steel body of the caliper. Did you notice the fluid level rising in the reservoir as you cranked on the clamp?

 

[T2T III]

Does the car have ABS?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
It should compress more than that. Usually, mine have gone flush with the steel body of the caliper. Did you notice the fluid level rising in the reservoir as you cranked on the clamp?

Well I didn't manage to crank it at all because it seemed to be taking a lot of pressure and I was worried it would break something. So, it goes clockwise and I can just take more leverage to it and turn the bitch?

Yes it has ABS. I'm just doing one brake at a time.

 

[jlee]

Use a c-clamp to push the piston back in.

Edit: n/m..heh

Edit2: I haven't done rear disc..I only have front..sorry 'bout that

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: CadetLee
Use a c-clamp to push the piston back in.

That will break it - these are rear brakes, not front!

 

[T2T III]

I'd crank the tool - clockwise. The piston should compress a bit more. Have you taken any measurements to see how much clearance you need in order to be able to fit the caliper onto the new pads?

Also, your emergency/parking brake is not on, is it ?

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Skoorb,

I'll bet that the caliper might be trying to seize. The rear left on my 97 Max SE was doing the same thing as yours. Could not turn it back. The replacement screwed back in like hot butter. From the looks of it, that piston is about as far out as it can be. You might try cracking open the bleed screw and see if that makes any difference.

/3 Nissan Max's in the family, see a few too many of those calipers/

 

[zixxer]

have you removed the cap from your master cylinder?

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: Hellspawn
Skoorb,

I'll bet that the caliper might be trying to seize. The rear left on my 97 Max SE was doing the same thing as yours. Could not turn it back. From the looks of it, that piston is about as far out as it is going. You might try cracking open the bleed screw and see if that makes any difference.

/3 Nissan Max's in the family, see a few too many of those calipers/

um. don't open the bleed screw.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: armatron
have you removed the cap from your master cylinder?

He mentioned that he has the cap off.

 

[Pacfanweb]

You need to twist it while applying quite a bit of pressure to force it backward. A c-clamp would be ideal if your other tool will work around it....otherwise, I'd try a big pair of channel locks....which will likely mean you'll need help.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: armatron

Originally posted by: Hellspawn
Skoorb,

I'll bet that the caliper might be trying to seize. The rear left on my 97 Max SE was doing the same thing as yours. Could not turn it back. From the looks of it, that piston is about as far out as it is going. You might try cracking open the bleed screw and see if that makes any difference.

/3 Nissan Max's in the family, see a few too many of those calipers/

um. don't open the bleed screw.

That's a documented way of *not* pushing old dirty fluid back up the lines when dealing with a caliper. How many disc brake jobs have you done ? I'm creeping up on #40.

 

[StageLeft]

OK I'm gonna give it a go with more leverage. It is every so slowly turning under alot of pressure. I have no other reason to think there is a problem with it so I'll give it a bit more love

Also, your emergency/parking brake is not on, is it ?

Nope, I learned that lesson very quickly trying to get it off

 

[T2T III]

You're not getting any grease on your keyboard when you're typing your messages out, right? Good. I thought so.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
You're not getting any grease on your keyboard when you're typing your messages out, right? Good. I thought so.

Quick hand washing

 

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[Stumps]

could be worse..he could be doing the linings in a drum brake setup...could lose your eye doing that one!

 

[radioouman]

I wish I lived in Alabama where my car stayed so clean!