Brake Piston won't budge. What to do?

[DigitalPho3nix]

Hi all,

I am in the middle of changing my brake pads, and I can't get my friggin brake pistons to co-operate. I have tried using a G clamp, and even bought a special tool from super cheaps, none of which have worked. It still has 1cm to go till it's flush, and my hands hurt

Help please!

[brett_celicacoupe]

multi grips are the go for that, a BIG set.

also be careful that the master cylinder isnt so full that when the piston does go back in, fluid doesnt spurt all over your paint in the engine bay!

[M.J.H]

Hi all,

I am in the middle of changing my brake pads, and I can't get my friggin brake pistons to co-operate. I have tried using a G clamp, and even bought a special tool from super cheaps, none of which have worked. It still has 1cm to go till it's flush, and my hands hurt

Help please!

So your saying you have pushed it back but not far enough.

What sort of car is it and does it need to go further to get over the pads or just looks like it needs to go further?

I'm guessing the pads are sitting in correctly when you try to refit it all or have they given you the wrong pads maybe?

[BeRad]

u tried the trusty wd40 or nut cracker sought of stuff to help loosen things up?

[craigy]

Put all the brakes that you had off back together and put your foot on the brake.

This may dislodge the piston and hopefully you will be able to push it back in.

If this doesn't work you may have to get the caliper rebuilt, most brake shops have a this facility.

anyways, good luck

Cheers
Craigy

[DigitalPho3nix]

won't the teeth on the multi-grips damage the surface of the piston?

[4agte]

if these are like the aw11 rear calipers they require you to twist the piston in using a pair of plyers not the easiest thing

[DigitalPho3nix]

So your saying you have pushed it back but not far enough.

What sort of car is it and does it need to go further to get over the pads or just looks like it needs to go further?

I'm guessing the pads are sitting in correctly when you try to refit it all or have they given you the wrong pads maybe?

I have a Corolla Seca SX.

Pretty sure all the pads are in ok. I think it has eased out while I have been working on it, so I can't get the original pads in!

[brett_celicacoupe]

won't the teeth on the multi-grips damage the surface of the piston?

if in doub, use a thin piece of ply wood or rubber from a tube or something

[oldcorollas]

they can be a bitch to push in if they are not going in straight... with multis, you have to push both sides in at same time...
but you said you had tried a G clamp already.. maybe it's just rooted or the seals have stuck to the piston

try with the G clamp again and wiggle from side to side as it gets slowly tighter.... perhaps...

[EldarO]

get a bit of ply or something, as already stated, and i dunno? try and lightly hammer it in!?

alternativly, use vice grips or something and apply force to the middle of the piston.

Eldar.O.

[e30-323ti]

Front or Rear.

As someone said previously, with rear calipers the piston gets screwed back in, not pushed like normal.

[DigitalPho3nix]

Rear disc. Do I screw it c/w or anti c/w?

[4agte]

clockwise i think not 100% tho

[Squid]

OK kinda an obvious one here, are the other wheels chocked and the handbrake off? I had a good laugh when a mate called me over after working for hours on the 'problem' had it fixed in minutes!

Also as suggested the mechanical portion of the piston (ie handbrake) will often require the piston to twist to go back in. Most cars i have done this on (admittedly not many) the twist has been clockwise, but it is pretty obvious well before your in danger of dropping the piston out.