PLEASE, brake help!!!

[john.med]

I'm in the middle of changing my front brake pads...

How do I compress the piston to fit the new pads on?

I've removed the lid on the brake reservoir...

For love nor money can I compress it enough!

HELP!!!!!

 

[Paddy_g46]

soem sort of metal bar and just push it f**king hard! lol do u have a small vice? or g clamps shud do the trick(b&q is open for another 50mins if u can make it there 2 buy a g clamp)

 

[Teds]

Not to funny mind. But have you still got your handbrake on..!

If not get some big open jaw pillers and press back in, Steady mind you.

Hope that helps.

 

[john.med]

I've got the handbrake on...

Thanks Patrick and Ted, I've been using a brick and scaff' bar,.. Could pop down to B&Q first thing tomorrow for a g clamp though.

Will the handbrake affect the front brake piston compressing? Really?

I'm baffled; have always changed the pads on all my cars...

 

[Grandpa Munster]

Big screwdriver will do the job.

 

[Teds]

Take the Handbrake off........!!!!

 

[CraigM]

Having the handbrake on or off will make no difference when doing the front brakes.

The easiest way is to use a G-clamp, but you can use anything to hand to lever it back in - just watch you don't damage the rubber seal.

It is also recommended that you open the bleed nipple on the caliper when pushing the piston back in as this removes any risk of damaging the ABS unit.

 

[john.med]

Cheers fellas, will try squeezing it in tomorrow, if no joy I'll buy a G clamp. (Hate buyng stuff I'll never use again though)

If only they wound in like the rear pistons...

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Just undo the brake fluid reservoir cap , get a thick piece of wood or the handle of a hammer , something that won't damage the piston , then force the piston back into the caliper .

Like Craig says . Makes no difference having the handbrake on .

 

[john.med]

i've tried,.. will give it a bash tomorrow morning.

cap's undone, will give it hell for leather in the morning.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

 

[Subway]

Where you based m8?

If your stuck I'll come and sort it.

 

[Fred@BTM]

3ft long braker bar, i rest the caliper on the strut

 

[MRBILLYUK]

The piston can get a bit rusty inside the caliper . You can try pressing the brake pedal with no disc / pads on so the piston sticks out the caliper then apply a thin layer of grease to the piston .

But be aware that the piston doesn't pop right out of the caliper , its a bit fiddly to get them back in . Get a mate to help if you can so he can tell you how far the piston is out of the caliper . They are only about 2.5 inches long from memory so just pop it out say 1 3/4 inches .

 

[TomTom]

Big water pump pliers

 

[davidwilson666]

When I changed my pads, I put the pad nearest the engine in place first, then put the caliper in place and braced it against the new pad, then pulled like a b**ch until it had receeded enough to fit the other pad in.

 

[john.med]

I have the caliper off right now, I'm going to put it on, and lever the piston back in... If no joy I'll be down to B&Q for an almighty G clamp.

Subway that's a very kind offer. I'm in South Liverpool, probably about 300 miles from ya.

 

[john.med]

Bought a G clamp. Job done, took no time at all.

THE G CLAMP IS KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the help chaps.

 

[Paddy_g46]

u know the g clamp is king! lol did u buy 1 of the budget plastic 1's?

 

[john.med]

Nah, proper cast iron jobbie. Bargain at £8.48... If only I'd known the king was the G clamp. D'oh!

 

[Big Iain]

could have used the bar for the trolley jack?

 

[john.med]

levering against the brake disc isn't good. couldn't see what else to lever it against...

the pads are still bedding in, but it stops better already. just in time for winter.