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Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: 86 night cat on October 09, 2008, 02:55:00 PM

Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: 86 night cat on October 09, 2008, 02:55:00 PM
it has been a very long time since i have replaced brakes on a vehicle, so please excuse what is probably a very simple question.
what is the best procedure for compressing the brake callipers? i have had cars that you had to rotate the center which compressed them, and some that i used a C clamp on. for these cars, what is the best method? thanks!
Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: Chuck W on October 09, 2008, 02:59:58 PM
You only need to compress and rotate the rear disks.  The fronts you just need to compress.
Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: 86 night cat on October 09, 2008, 06:05:38 PM
ok, thanks!
Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: the_intimidator03 on October 09, 2008, 08:00:10 PM
another suggestion is take a c-clamp and use the old brake pad over the piston when compressing... i have had pistons crack otherwise.  just a tip.
Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: vinnietbird on October 10, 2008, 03:32:01 PM
Quote from: the_intimidator03;238958
another suggestion is take a c-clamp and use the old brake pad over the piston when compressing... i have had pistons crack otherwise.  just a tip.


That's my method on the front.
Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: Kitz Kat on October 10, 2008, 03:58:02 PM
On the fronts I take a big screw driver and compress it before I pull the caliper.
Title: Brake caliper compression
Post by: grutinator on October 10, 2008, 06:52:31 PM
its always a good idea to crack the bleeders loose when you compress the pistons to stop from pushing any dirt that gathered in your caliper back into the system. especially if you have ABS