Hey guys, need some quick help- my car is out on jack stands. I am in the process of installing drilled/slotted rotors on my 04 MCS. The fronts went on like a champ- no issues at all. The rears have been a different story entirely. Here is the problem:
The rears were torn down to get the old rotors off- no issues. I went to pull the retaining bolt off the rotor (to take the rotor off the spindle). My helper stepped on the brake pedal (caliper already hanging on wire/zip tie). Of course the piston came partially out...now I'm trying to get it back in and it won't budge. We've tried screwing the piston back in with little luck, it moved a little but not to where it needs to be. We've tried loosening the bleed screw, used a C-clamp on it and it still doesn't want to move. Any help you guys can provide would be appreciated. Also, I have one of the rears totally done- so if you can tell me how to drive on three wheels that might also be good information???????:c onfused:

 

opening the bleeder and pushing it back in shoudl do it, are you sure the bleeder was open?

your going to need to bleed the brakes if you open a bleeder up.

 

Try turning the piston with a needle-nose pliers. If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, get their $40 caliper tool.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I did try the needle nose pliers- no luck. I hope there is enough room to fit the harbor freight tool assembly into the caliper- the piston is out pretty far. Luckily there are two farbor freights in town. ANy ideas if we CAN'T get the tool in there? Please keep the replies coming.....

 

The HF tool should fit. I replaced my rear pads/rotors a couple months ago. One of the pistons was completely out (the pad de-lammed at a track event) and the HF tool worked like a champ.

NOTE: the basic HF tool mates with the piston, you wont need to add any of the adapters.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, I was able to get everything back together and will road test it tomorrow. Thanks again!!!

 

Be sure to keep a C clamp handy when you are doing a brake job...

 

make sure you bleed the system after you have it all back together or your going to have air in there! good luck.

 

You cant use a c-clamp on the rear brake calipers

 

YES YOU CAN!
It's all I use and I change pads at least 12 times a year. A big C clamp works perfectly and I have had to use on a friends Mini it when one of the special tools failed to fit because the piston was just too far out.

 

Only if you make sure you twist the piston while clamping. Most just want to press the piston, which does not work on the rears. STOP YELLING

 

OK,
the C-clamp does spin the piston on it's own while compressing it.
Actually you can see this way of doing the job on the Webb web site.

 

hey guys...i'm having the same problem wih my cooper...can you shoot me a link to this webb web site. why do you have to turn the pistion while clamping it/ I never had to do that on any other cars

thanks much
bobbyn

 

has to do with a built in E-brake

Click photo for link to the Webb How-To

 

thanks for the reply....after reading some of the posts i went out and tryed turning the pistion with a channel lock as i was closing the clamp....worked fine....thanks you guys are great!

Bobbyn

 

the brakes are bled and fine....the light won't go out though....does something have to be reset? while i'm at it i've been doing my own oil changes and when you turn the key on the odo shows that - number....can that be cleared or do i have to go back to the dealer for that?

Thanks again
Bobbyn

 

The brake pad light will go out after you replace the sensor that is broken. One in the front or one in the back (or both) they are about 18 each. And they are very easy to replace, without removing the caliper!



And to reset the oil counter. You can go to the dealer or:



To reset the service interval indicator:
push trip button
turn ignition key to position 1 and 15A will appear to left of mileage
release trip button
wait 3 seconds
push trip button
wait (5 - 8 seconds) for RST to appear in left corner
release trip button
push trip button
15000 [or kilometer equivalent] will appear as new service interval
release trip button

 

Next time, have a look at my brake articles

Rear pads
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...345#post550345

Front pads
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=38346

 

thanks for the info...the odo is reset and i'll pick up the sensors. do they have to be replaced with each brake job?

thanks
bobbyn

 

Only if the Light goes on, if you replace the pads before that happens then you will not need to. :smile: