Rear Pads

[Itsuki]

Anyone know a trick on how to put the rear brake pads on a 96 240, i can get them on but the piston is out to far so i cant get them over the rotor, will a c-clamp push it back in? and is there any trick on how to put them in the caliper, becuase they are a pain in the ass.....

[Tyler Durdan]

The rear calliper piston doesn't just push in.  You have to turn the piston counter clockwise to reset it.  Just take a pair of needlenose pliers, grip and turn while pushing in at the same time.  Be extremely careful not to damage the piston though.  I put a paper towel between my pliers and piston to avoid damaging the piston.  It's a real pain in the ass (at least on my 97), but they do turn counter clockwise.

[rampid360]

To avoid damaging your piston, go to any auto parts store and buy the 8 dollar tool.  Its a cube with pins on each side, and it fits onto a socket wrench.  If you dont want to buy the 8 dollar cube, many stores feature a loaner service...you put down the deposit and get the money back when you return the tool.

[BlackFox]

Yes, go get that cube tool. Makes it much easier. We just did my friends RX7, same deal. I spend a day trying to push mine in on my 240, then i got the tool and it made it much easier.

The tools is called a rear piston tool.

[DSC]

Actually, the rear piston does push in. And you turn it clockwise to "screw" it in. [righty tighty lefty losey...your pushing it back in, thus tighty] I got that $8 cube tool but the pison was out too far for me to fit it in, so I used a C clamp to push it in until I had enough room for my tool.

Note: take your brake fluid resovar cap off when pushing/screwing pistons back in. There is fluid in the lines and caliper that will be pushed back...if you don't take the cap off, it won't have anywhere to go.

[sil80]

Actually I just put on my brembo rotors this week and ran into the same problem... I tried to use the needle nose to grip and turn. It worked but really kicked my ass. On the second one I used the needle nose a diff way. Open the needles nose about halfway and act like your going to stab straight into the piston. Meet the needle nose with two of the slots on the piston and turn clockwise. Its like using the needle nose as a screwdriver. It was so freaking easy... really pissed me of.

[gfisch]

Definately get the tool. Makes it a hell of a lot easier. Mine was actually round w/ 2 pins. Had to put a washer behind it on the rathet though since its head stuck out too far and the pins wouldnt stay in the slots on the piston.

[Red]

I did what sil80 did, very ez. no cost if you have the needle's

[Natty]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Red @ Aug. 03 2002,04:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I have a question that is on topic.
When you compress the piston to fit the pad in, how do you know how much to clamp the piston down? Just till the pad fits?
Also, when you remove the clamp, will the piston come back out?
Thanks,
Jeff

[BlackFox]

If they're new pads, which i assume they are, just crank the piston all the way down.

One thing to watch out for. There's a little tab on the back of the brake pads, that should line up with one of the groves on the piston. This is important because if you don't then the pad wont' sit flat when compressed.

[Natty]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (BlackFox @ Aug. 03 2002,8:18)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If they're new pads, which i assume they are, just crank the piston all the way down.

One thing to watch out for. There's a little tab on the back of the brake pads, that should line up with one of the groves on the piston. This is important because if you don't then the pad wont' sit flat when compressed.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Thanks guys &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>
Jeff

[gtfour43]

Make sure when you install the new pads theres not too much room between the pads and the rotor or you will have a weak parking brake. Oh and make sure when you twist the piston in that the rubber seal doesnt twist and bunch up. When I bought my car that's how I found the seals and the tab on the pad wasnt sitting even on the piston so the pad got prematurely worn on one side for not sitting even. Good Luck

[Natty]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Aug. 02 2002,1:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Note: take your brake fluid resovar cap off when pushing/screwing pistons back in. There is fluid in the lines and caliper that will be pushed back...if you don't take the cap off, it won't have anywhere to go.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wait, that means fluid is going to spill back out right?
What kind of fluid should I use to replace it. I will not be bleeding, by the way.
Jeff

[DSC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Natty @ Aug. 05 2002,01:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Aug. 02 2002,1:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Note: take your brake fluid resovar cap off when pushing/screwing pistons back in. There is fluid in the lines and caliper that will be pushed back...if you don't take the cap off, it won't have anywhere to go.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wait, that means fluid is going to spill back out right?
What kind of fluid should I use to replace it. I will not be bleeding, by the way.
Jeff</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
No, it shouldn't spill unless you added brake fluid. It's a closed system so you should lose any fluid...meaning you should never add any. If you have to add some, chances are your pads are worn. So you need to change your pads...not add brake fluid. The only time you should put brake fluid in is after bleeding...otherwise I can't think of any situation (other than a leak) that would warrant adding brake fluid.

PS: about the e-brake. &nbsp;It will feel weak for a bit...you have to pull it up and down a few times and use your brakes a bit before it will feel right again. &nbsp;And no e-brake drifting till after breakin... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>