This weekend I will be changing the front brake pads, and possibly removing the calipers, as I suspect the inside ones maybe seized (based upon less wear on the inside pads) If I have to remove them, do you have any tips for caliper removal and pad replacement, or is it straight forward?

 

Thanks

 

 

John

This weekend I will be changing the front brake pads, and possibly removing the calipers, as I suspect the inside ones maybe seized (based upon less wear on the inside pads) If I have to remove them, do you have any tips for caliper removal and pad replacement, or is it straight forward?

 

Thanks

 

 

John

It's straight forward mate. Have a breaker bar or something similar to hand in case the caliper bolts are tight.

It's straight forward mate. Have a breaker bar or something similar to hand in case the caliper bolts are tight.

 

Thanks Mike,

 

I got a breaker bar, and the copper grease (and lots of dot4 brake fluid)

 

 

Cheers

 

John

Just clamp off the flex brake line to stop it losing all is fluid on your drive. Then rip it to bits.

 

cheerz, mickey

Just clamp off the flex brake line to stop it losing all is fluid on your drive. Then rip it to bits.

 

cheerz, mickey

 

 

Thanks Mickey, good idea.

 

John

I think it's easier to move a siezed piston while it's still on the car. It's difficult to get pressure into the calliper when it's removed.

 

Vijay

I think it's easier to move a siezed piston while it's still on the car. It's difficult to get pressure into the calliper when it's removed.

 

Vijay

 

Vijay,

Whats the trick to getting the piston out, do you remove the pad on the offending side, and apply the brake pedal to force it out, or can you get a grip on the pistons once the pads are out ?

 

John

I think it's easier to move a siezed piston while it's still on the car. It's difficult to get pressure into the calliper when it's removed.

 

Vijay

hi guys just changed pads and discs 2nite,checked my pistons and they loosened up with some cleaner and a set of big grips,im no expert but id agree with vijay,in that its easier still attached.

found that nissan discs&pads are the simpleist ive changed,and i can stop safer,as my jaw was vibrating at high speed with the old discs under braking :rofl:

hi guys just changed pads and discs 2nite,checked my pistons and they loosened up with some cleaner and a set of big grips,im no expert but id agree with vijay,in that its easier still attached.

found that nissan discs&pads are the simpleist ive changed,and i can stop safer,as my jaw was vibrating at high speed with the old discs under braking :rofl:

 

 

Thanks Greg,

 

Isnt there a risk of scoring the piston when using grips, or are you gripping the part of the piston that never enters the bore, even with new pads?

 

John

push the pistons out as much as you dare/can using a screw driver or something to stop them popping out. Remove caliper and remove the pistons with grips holding on the very edge only. only twist out if you have new seals as they can pickup and drag round when you are turning. Recon it and fit back together with plenty of lube.

 

cheerz,mickey

push the pistons out as much as you dare/can using a screw driver or something to stop them popping out. Remove caliper and remove the pistons with grips holding on the very edge only. only twist out if you have new seals as they can pickup and drag round when you are turning. Recon it and fit back together with plenty of lube.

 

cheerz,mickey

 

 

Thanks Mickey.......I should have ordered a caliper repair kit, Mike (MJP) did not have any in stock so I told hime to just send the pads, I will try some of the import car parts dealers in Derby to see if they have a kit, as I want to do them this weekend.

 

Anyone on here got a spare caliper kit they want to sell?

 

John

push the pistons out as much as you dare/can using a screw driver or something to stop them popping out. Remove caliper and remove the pistons with grips holding on the very edge only. only twist out if you have new seals as they can pickup and drag round when you are turning. Recon it and fit back together with plenty of lube.

 

cheerz,mickey

just gripped the old inner pad,to outside calliper bled the brakes very slightly and compressed the pad.Until they freed up they were a bit stuck,have u tried to free them up a little,stupid Q i guess good luck mate

just gripped the old inner pad,to outside calliper bled the brakes very slightly and compressed the pad.Until they freed up they were a bit stuck,have u tried to free them up a little,stupid Q i guess good luck mate

 

Greg,

 

I have not tried anything yet, I am waiting till saturday when I put the new pads on, so I dont know what kind of problem (if any) I may have. The may not be seized much at all.

 

Cheers

 

John

Hi John,

 

You need another person to put "gentle" pressure on the pedal while you see what pistons move and which don't. If one comes out, then the fluid will leak. Leave the old pads in and get a piece of wood slightly thinner than the distance between the 2 pads. This will allow some movement when the pedal is pressed. Be careful as the piston can fly out if it suddenly frees up (that's why you use the piece of wood in between the pads).

 

As Mickeyb said, only grip the pistons on the very outer edge :)

Vijay

Hi John,

 

You need another person to put "gentle" pressure on the pedal while you see what pistons move and which don't. If one comes out, then the fluid will leak. Leave the old pads in and get a piece of wood slightly thinner than the distance between the 2 pads. This will allow some movement when the pedal is pressed. Be careful as the piston can fly out if it suddenly frees up (that's why you use the piece of wood in between the pads).

 

As Mickeyb said, only grip the pistons on the very outer edge :)

Vijay

 

Thanks Greg and Vijay,

Vijay, that piece of wood idea is a great tip which I will use.

 

Cheers

 

John

If a piston is seized, do you normally (using the great tips from members above) remove it completely so that you can inspect the piston and bore ? if so, what do you use normally to clean and remove stubborn foreign matter that caused the seizing up ?

 

Thanks

 

John

Use some fine grade wet & dry to polish the pistons. If the chrome is flaking then you will need new pistons or get them rechromed. Just be carefull not to iver do it.

 

cheerz,mickey

thanks everyone, i will tackle the job on Saturday

 

Cheers

 

John