BlackPonyCar00

probably a newb question, just my first time changing brake pads...

--How in the hell do you compress the pistons back into the caliper?

i got the "tool" from autozone, but how do you actually use it. i thought i could figure it out, but i guess not.

need a response ASAP

StupidTodd

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/brakepad1.htm

This shows it using a C clamp, but it can't be that different from the autozone tool...

Derf00

are you doing the front or rear brakes? Front are easy but the rear are a pain even with the 'special tool'. Regardless, be sure to have your brake master cylinder cap loosened. Otherwise the brake fluid will have nowhere to displace itself to as the piston gets pushed back in and it will not go back all the way or at all.

BlackPonyCar00

i saw that how to but the "tool" is like half of a c clamp, it doesn't go around the back of the caliper. iam doing the front, i know it should be easy but i just can't figure it out

Derf00

That article has one huge flaw in it's procedure. The front caliper pistons DO NOT need to rotate as they are pushed back into the caliper, doing this can cause a seal to start leaking. The whole 'screw-in' procedure they describe is ONLY for the rears.

BlackPonyCar00

right i figured that, i am having trouble figuring iut where to place the "tool" in order to compress the pistons. thanks for your help so far...

Derf00

I always use a C-clamp. that tool can be a pain because you may not have enough leverage to get the piston pushed in if it's a little stuck.

Actually, the easier way to use it is, put the side that has the 'wing' on it against the open side of the caliper (side that doesn't have the piston) and adjust it so the side that has the circle (on the tool) rests inside the caliper piston and spin it to force the circle into the piston, thus pushing the piston into the caliper (compressing the piston back into the caliper) Be sure to have loosed the master cylinder cap first though, otherwise it will not go in all the way.

Derf00

are you using a tool that looks like this?

http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=272

Has a picture of how to set it up. You can do it that way or the way I explained. If you try the way I expalined it may not reach far enough to push the piston in all the way. So, do what the picture shows. Put one of the old pads in and put the circle part on it to give it leverage it needs.

BlackPonyCar00

ok thanks i will go back out and try again, if i have anymore troubles i will be back on... thanks again...(possibly to be continued)

...problem solved

thanks for the help