2007CalSpec

I spent four hours working on the right rear brake. Grrrr! Had a new rotor and pads in place, went to put the caliper back on and found out that the piston isn't pushed in far enough. I used a brake caliper tool and no matter how much I turn the thing it won't go in any further. It just spins and spins. I've tried removing the master cylinder cap and unscrewing the bleeder screw. Parking brake is also off. I've also tried pumping the brake pedal to push the piston back out and used the tool to push the piston back in but it still wouldn't go in far enough for the caliper to fit over the new pads and rotor. I got so pissed I put the old parts back on and called it a day. Four hours wasted!

Here's a picture of the caliper piston showing how much it still sticks out. Is it time for a new caliper?

Trekev

That should fit over the pads and rotors in the position that it's in, it'll be tight but it should fit. If that still doesn't work try disconnecting the brake line from the caliper and twisting it in more, you'll have to bleed your brakes afterword though.

Shawzie

Use a c-clamp and a little flat piece of metal. Is the piston broken or is that just the picture?

kput

^ Don't do this, lol.
The piston has to rotate.

I've also had a pain with the rear calipers, I don't think they go in too far, see if it all fits like that.

Shawzie

It should definetly go in further then that now that I look at it again,should almost go flush??

ziperhead

Did you use the caliper piston tool that applys pressure on the piston while you turn it with a wrench? Mine took quite a bit of pressure.

Shawzie

Been doing it like that for 20 years and never had an issue???

6-Speed

That caliper will not fit over new pads unless the piston is reset as shown in the first photo. You have to turn the piston clockwise while applying pressure to push the piston back into the caliper. The proper caliper tool to do that is shown in the second photo. You can purchase one at Harbor Freight tools or perhaps even borrow one from a chain auto parts store that loan out tools. Once the piston is reset, don't forget to position the indented recesses on the piston face so one of them aligns and fits into the small pin on the back of the in-board brake pad as shown in the third photo. Good luck. Refer to this link for additional details:

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...rake-pads.html

6-Speed

You can't do that with brake calipers that have an integrated parking brake mechanism. The piston has to be turned while forward pressure is applied.

2007CalSpec

Wouldn't opening the bleeder screw and master cylinder cap achieve the same thing? Relieve pressure?

It's not broken.

That's the same tool I was using. That first picture definitely shows the piston pushed in further than mine. Mine just keeps turning freely without going in any further.