Yeah, so I’m trying to replace the pads and the brake caliper won’t swivel up like it’s supposed to. I figure it’s because the rotors are so worn that there’s a lip around the very outside and the pads are so tight against the rotor that it can’t get over the lip. Is there any way I can get the pads away from the rotor far enough to clear the lip? TIA
Ben
You need to clamp the caliper piston back into its cylinder. You need a big clamp that will fit from the back side of the caliper to the brake pad on the outside of the car, the side facing you. A big C-clamp will work. Turn the clamp screw and you should see the caliper closing toward you. It only needs to go in a bit and then you should be able to pivot the caliper. Loosen the top bolt a bit too.
oops. I messed up. What I meant was that I can’t pivot it up, even. I The pads are supposed to stay where they are but the middle of the caliper goes up. I can’t even get that up! It feels like it’s catching from behind but I can’t see crap back there. It moves a little, like a centimeter, and then stops.
P.S. I didn’t get any Molykote M77 with my new AEM pads. There wasn’t any at AutoZone. What is this stuff? Is it grease?
Originally posted by OldGuy
You need to clamp the caliper piston back into its cylinder. You need a big clamp that will fit from the back side of the caliper to the brake pad on the outside of the car, the side facing you. A big C-clamp will work. Turn the clamp screw and you should see the caliper closing toward you. It only needs to go in a bit and then you should be able to pivot the caliper. Loosen the top bolt a bit too.
This will only work for the front calipers … the rear calipers you must turn the caliper clockwise for it to sink into the housing.
As for your problem … have you tried tapping it with a hammer? Mine stuck a bit too, but with a few GENTLE taps, it backed off and up from the pads.
Molykote is the brake grease used between the pads and shims to eliminate brake squeal.
Yeah, I pounded on it with my fist a little and that helped. I can move it back and forth a little but not all the way up. I’ll try manhandling it more tomorrow.
Ben
I use a large screwdriver to pry it up. Place the tip against the rotor and pry up gently. The pads will stay where they are.
try removing the cap off your brake fluid reservoir(under your hood). this will relieve pressure.
Slacker, that worked perfectly. Now my next problem is the bolts on the other caliper. Neither one will budge a bit. The bottom one is now stripped. I’ve tried a socket (of course), locking pliers, dousing it with PB Blaster, tapping it with a hammer, pounding it with a hammer, and heating it up with a torch. I don’t really feel like trying to find a fix it kit or buying a pipe wrench for $20. My next step will be to take it to the tire shop and have them loosen the bolts and put them back in, unless anyone has any other suggestions.
By the way, I used an impact driver from Checker Auto ($12) to take the screws out of the rotor. Worked like butta. HTH
Ben