Problem with changing rear pads

[poppingseagull]

I successfully changed my front pads and I started on the back. Everything went fine until I had to retract the caliper piston using the hex key adjuster. The damn thing wouldn't budge and I ended up stripping it somehow (it was rusted pretty bad). How do I retract the piston so I can fit the caliper over the rotor? I can't get the hex key adjuster to budge.

 

[poppingseagull]

I successfully changed my front pads and I started on the back. Everything went fine until I had to retract the caliper piston using the hex key adjuster. The damn thing wouldn't budge and I ended up stripping it somehow (it was rusted pretty bad). How do I retract the piston so I can fit the caliper over the rotor? I can't get the hex key adjuster to budge.

Anyone have any ideas? I need this car for a 12 hour car trip Sunday. If I don't get this fixed by then could I take off the caliper and just drive without rear brakes? I tried drilling a slot for a slotted screwdriver and I put a whole lot of torque on it but it still didn't budge. I was under the impression this screw shouldn't require much torque to move.

 

[Revs]

A C-clamp will work.

 

[1somamp3]

A C clamp probably won't work because the calipers work on a worm gear system. Not sure what to do if you stripped the hex key.....sorry about your luck.

 

[AznXstazy]

u sure ur turning it the right way? also if i remember correctly, mine wouldnt move either. so i turned it the other way, but it wouldnt move... probaly cuz i put to much torque goin the wrong way. first make sure ur going the right way, then turn the hell out of it while appling some pressure on the piston. dont try to put to much pressure to break it, but will your turning the hex, apply pressure on the piston. i think thats how i did it. i was turning mine till the piston came all the way out by mistake. and i turned the key the other way till it couldnt turn anymore. so i applied some pressure on the piston and went in. anyway u stripped ur hex, most likey u would have to replace the caliper.... sorry to say.

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

sounds like your gonna end up buying new calipers, shoot me a pm i have a pair of mp3 calipers i'll let go for cheap.

 

[poppingseagull]

sounds like your gonna end up buying new calipers, shoot me a pm i have a pair of mp3 calipers i'll let go for cheap.

Well I went to an auto parts store today and they have the calipers for $110 each. I would buy them from you but I need my car fixed by sunday morning so that wouldn't work. Time to bleed the brakes...

 

[Clark18]

I have changed my rear pads numerous times by simply using a large pliers (C clamp too) to push the piston back into the caliper. Was not difficult to do by hand, and I have never used a hex tool or anything--just make sure you don't have too much brake fluid in the resevoir or it will leak out the cap.

 

[AznXstazy]

I have changed my rear pads numerous times by simply using a large pliers (C clamp too) to push the piston back into the caliper. Was not difficult to do by hand, and I have never used a hex tool or anything--just make sure you don't have too much brake fluid in the resevoir or it will leak out the cap.

dude, hopefully u didnt mess up ur pistons... their not suppose to be pushed in with a c clamp... suppose to use a hex tool to tighten and loosen the piston... u might want to check and see if ur hex screw is loose.

 

[PaulMP3]

wierd it would be rusted.. if i remember correctly from doing mine, it was under another screw. You sure you used the right size hex key?

 

[Clark18]

dude, hopefully u didnt mess up ur pistons... their not suppose to be pushed in with a c clamp... suppose to use a hex tool to tighten and loosen the piston... u might want to check and see if ur hex screw is loose.

No they are fine, I was mistaken. I was thinking of my other car, and realized I have yet to change rear pads on my MP3. I must have been out of it....

 

[poppingseagull]

wierd it would be rusted.. if i remember correctly from doing mine, it was under another screw. You sure you used the right size hex key?

Well I fixed my brakes, but it required the purchase of a new caliper. Apparently the other caliper was frozen and there is no way to really fix it. I don't know if the screw was really rusted, but it certainly wouldn't move. The screw on the new piston moved without any trouble.