Help please, Piston won't move back in caliper

[redcarbon]

How do you move the piston in to the caliper so that I can put my new, thicker pads in? I have tried channel locks and prying but the piston will not budge. Is there a trick I don't know of or some way of depressurizing the system to allow me to move the piston back?

I thought I remembered seeing a similar thread a while back, but search turned up nothing. Any help would be appreciated.

[Charlie]

1.)Buy the 10 dollar little screw type pad spreader from Sears, Pep Boys, Advance, Trak Auto, etc. So much nicer than the hilljack channel-lock method.

2.) Use common sense. It's a hydraulic system, everything is pressurized, and you appear to be unable to overcome it. Relieve the pressure somewhere, easiest place would be the bleeder screw right there on the caliper.

-Charlie

[Axxe]

C-clamp with your old pad on the face of the piston works very well.

[Brew]

Its also very possible that the caliper is seized. It should not take much force to compress it.

[AndrewBird]

Its also very possible that the caliper is seized. It should not take much force to compress it.

It will be if he didn't remove the master cylinder cover or open the bleeder.

[Brew]

It will be if he didn't remove the master cylinder cover or open the bleeder.

No it won't, I do brakes almost everyday bud.

[PeaveyBassist]

Undo the cap on top of the master cylinder resevoir. Use channel locks and push it back. Shouldnt be "that" hard.

Will

[Dave]

I use a big C type clamp - works like a charm.

[redcarbon]

Its also very possible that the caliper is seized. It should not take much force to compress it.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I left the fronts alone (the one that wouldn't budge), replaced all rotors, the rear pads, parking brake shoes, changed the oil and left it sitting on jackstands because I've been busy with work and school.

I'll try it again tonight, I bought a brake pad spreader last night so that ought to do it. I did take the reservoir cap off before trying to compress it, I'll open the bleeder valve if it still won't move.

I sure hope the calipers aren't seized, the brakes were working fine before.