I am trying to swap my front pads and am getting a little, ok a lot, pissed off. I got the old pads off and now I can't fit the caliper back on with the new pads. How do I get the piston to retract enough to make it fit? I tried turning on the car and hitting the brakes then tried to push the piston back in, it would budge. Your immediate help would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

Clip the old pad back in the caliper and use a C-clamp to compress the piston.

 

The caliper won't go back on because the new pads are thicker, as I'm sure you've figured out. For the front brakes, you can use a c-clamp to push the piston back in a bit. Try to come up with an arrangement that pushes straight back on the piston. Before getting a specific tool to retract brake pistons, I used a c-clamp with a screwdriver perpendicular to the piston so the c-clamp would have something to push on that was centered.

If you've added any brake fluid, make sure the reservoir doesn't overflow as the piston gets pushed back in. Also, don't push the piston in further than necessary to get the caliper back on.

For the rear pistons, they will need to be turned as they are retracted. Don't just shove them straight back in like the fronts.

Good luck.
Scott
90STX

 

Thank you so much! I don't have a C-clamp but I was able to get a 4ft bar clamp to do the trick. Ahhhh (sigh of relief).

 

All I can say is thank God for this site and all the people on here that know a whole lot more than I do Ask a question and you get an answer

Earl

 

Isn't it great!

 

It's also a real good idea to open the bleeder valve as compress the piston. This keeps the dirty fluid, which is typically sitting in the calipers, from travelling back up into the system. That old dirty fluid can do a lot of damage to the ABS modulator. Follow up the installation of the pads with a bleeding of the brakes to flush out that old fluid.

 

quick and clean fix. Purchase a simple steering wheel puller from a hardware or auto supply. Leave the inner old pad on the caliper and slide the puller inside the caliper.. Tighten the bolt and force the pistion in. Takes 30 seconds and no smashed knuckles and discourteous utterances.

 

Can't do this with the rears though.

 

sorry for the thread resurrection, but, will this kit work?

 

Yes, that kit should work for both the front and the back.

victor

 

thanks Victor. Can't beat the price

 

This has been documented in my Brake Pad writeup.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=brake+pad



As well as my Rear Pad writeup
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=brake+pad

Richard

 

That;s a great kit! I've had it for a couple of yearss and have used it for all my vehicles without any troubles.
And the price is right.

 

Where did you get that coupon?
Been wanting that kit for a while

 

I saw it linked on NASIOC, a Subaru forum. Note - only good for in-store, not online. Looks like I'll be taking a ride down to the one an hour from me.

 

perhaps sticky the threads then? I looked there first and didn't happen on the info I was looking for with a search and came upon this thread instead.

 

Tonight my brake warning light came on. I know it's the rears, thought I could make it through the Winter...darn
I think a buddy will go in on the Harbor Freight kit with me he needs to do his too