Toyota 4X4 rear brake caliper wont back down

[Guest Anonymous]

I cannot back down the rear brake caliper piston to insert new pads (even with fairly hard pressure from a c clamp). I had pumped the hand brake lever on the caliper fixture several times and wonder if that puts a fixed 'no back up' setting on the caliper piston inside. Do i need to take something apart before backing down or just use more clamping power? Caliper is off car, and both input and bleed valves are open. The rubber piston cover is pretty far out also.

Steve

[280Zone]

I have the Toyota calipers on the front of my Z and my 4Runner and have not found that there is any anti-backing problem when installing new brake pads. Are yours old, new or rebuilt?

[Guest Anonymous]

The backs are from a mid eighties toyota 4x4. They were taken from a salvage yard. No leaks and look good.

Steve

[Guest Anonymous]

Also, so you are not confused, these are calipers that were working on my car previously. I did not want you to think they were taken from a salvage yard and not sure if they worked or not.

Steve

[Guest Drewz]

Are you sure they arent they style that need to be threaded backwards to install the pads. GM rears are almost all like that. You need to see if the piston face is groved like a + or four circles on the outer rim of the face of the piston. If there are markings or groves than the piston must be turned back into itself to regain the new position.

[blueovalz]

Drew is probably correct. If it has an emergency brake as part of the caliper, it must be screwed back inward to put new thicker pads in. This is how they design these type of calipers to self-adjust every time you use the emergency brake.

[Guest Anonymous]

I tried tapping with a ball pien (sp) hammer and punch and it did not move. The face of the piston had four notches like a plus sign.

Steve

[blueovalz]

That pretty much cinches it. You'll have to spin it back in, then align the grooves or notches with the tabs on the back of the pads when you re-install the new pads.

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks gents

Terry glazd you mentioned positioning the slots with the pads as I might have missed that. BTW, Know which way to turn the piston?. I tried both ways and dont want to force( I used light hammer and punch). I am thinking while facing the top of piston from the outside, turn clockwise like a regular nut on a bolt.

Steve

[gene_w]

I don't have any personal experience with rear disk brakes (hopefully not much longer!), so take this with a grain of salt. I have seen a tool that you can get that hooks up to the grooves in the piston which allows you to use a wrench to screw it back in. I'm not sure where to get these(autoparts store maybe?) or even if it's absolutely necessary. Hopefully somebody else out there will be willing to share their experience.

 

Gene

[383 240z]

Most discount auto part stores will loan you the tools (AUTO ZONE, PEP BOYS, ADVANCE AUTO) this is the best way to backdown the piston. clock wise puts it back into the bore. Keith

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks gents,

I found the 'tool' that has 4 nubs to allow for backing down piston.

Steve