installing brake pads
 

Im having a bit of trouble on the front pads.

I took the cap off for the pistons to depress. I took a c-clamp and the old pads and pushed them back in. When I try to put the new pads in there still isn't enough room to fit over the rotor, as if the pistons weren't depressed enough. I used the c-clamp and tightened it as far as it would go from the middle of both pistons, and on the left and right side for each piston. Still no luck, they wont fit back over the rotor. Wtf am I doing wrong? The pistons aren't flush with their little rubber boot things but theyre almost there. I cant tighten it any further though. I put all my muscle in the c-clamp and it wont turn any further....This is so damn frustrating.

Did you leave the caliper on the rotor when you used the C-clamp to compress the piston? You might just need to wiggle and used a little more effort to push the caliper w/ new pads over the rotor.

I took it off the rotor to depress the pistons. I would say there is an 1/8th of an inch needed on BOTH sides for the pads to fit. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and I feel like an asshat.

Crack your bleeder valve loose bro. If not, go to autozone and rent their tool, i used it and had to torque the shit out of it as well but i got it. And im by no means a muscly man. :D

Take the Cap off of the Brake fluid Resevoir. The air pressure is FULL in resvoir tank allowing you to not be able "push" back fluid in the lines.

Let me know if this was the issue so I can continue being the genious.

Where is the bleeder valve located? I tried to google it but didn't get any help.

Just pop the cap like he said, sounds like its air tight.

I did work on an explorers brakes and compressed the pistons in till the cap shot off the resevoir.

The bleeder valve has a little cap over it, and it looks like a grease fitting. VERY TINY. Its beside where the brake line goes in.

Also check and make sure everythings lining up and level as ur sliding it down, my rears were a bitch because of the handbrake cable.

I popped the cap before I started. Do the rotors need to be resurfaced each time the pads are changed? I haven't done anything to the rotors.

Danimal - what kind/brand pads are you trying to install, Are they the same as pads that were replaced?

As far as the new pads not fitting. I think it may ALSO be because the rotors DO NEED to be resurfaced OR get NEW rotors. The material from the old pads are still on the old rotors thus making the rotor "thicker" allowing for new pads not to fit inbetween rotor and caliper.

Let me know what the reult is. I would ask a real tech about this as well, they may know better..

If thats not the issue then..I have no more ideas..?

I have just some random prostop pads from pepboys. I never replaced the pads before so I am not sure what were on there. Ill get the rotors resurfaced tomorrow.

This is a interesting thread because I also plan on doing my own breaks now on mu 02 GT and if something like this happens to me I will know what it is once Danimal finds out..yay:rolleyes:

The bleeder valve man, kmon now. Even i know that, basically the brass little nipple covered by a rubber cap on the brake caliper itself. http://www.team-integra.net/sections...?ArticleID=417 This thing. Loosen it just like a normal nut, until its finger loose, dont take it out all the way. Once its finger loose, try compressing the pistons more. If that doesnt work, then you new pads may be wrong ones.

ok ok, cool. Ill go back in the garage and try the bleeder valve in a few minutes.

I have 2 things that look like that. One on the left side of it and one on the right. The one that has a rubber boot on it is stripped.

What are the little nubs for on the back of the brake pad? They're preventing me from being able to place the caliper on there properly... Can I shave them off?

I can get either the bottom portion of the caliper to fit well, or the top portion. I cant get both to fit properly, I can use a small mallet to bash it into place but then the rotor isn't able to turn, indicating its too tight.

Using autozones caliper piston tool I could only move the pistons back a touch. I am not sure what to do now. Is there a way I can remove any excess air the bleeder valve would have removed by pulling some lines or something?

EDIT:
Im no dumb, I didn't realise that the back of the shoe where the caliper bolts into is MOVEABLE. I didn't know you could push it in lol. Im trying to slam the caliper on there and shit, omg lol.

You mean the guide bolts...? Buddy you really should take the time to learn about brakes. Go google brake systems please, before you damage your car and potentially get yourself killed because you broke something.

I know about brakes and all the parts on there that are used. I just have never changed brakes before. There's a first time for everything.

The bleeder has a rubber cap on it. If its stripped that is not good. You need to replace it with new ones. You can get them off with Vise Grips.