Need help with brakes

[Face]

Ok so without all the "just take them off comments" I need a little advice.

 

Late last year I changed the brake pads (rear) in my shee. They worked great. Well on my last trip out they stoped working great and didnt work at all. I have a slight problem in that I can not get the piston to retract to get new pads in. what have I done? is there a trick to it? Also I need to know how to bleed them. Any info would be great guys. Thanks in advance

[Face]

Come on some one has to know what I am doing wrong!

[J-Madd]

Just pry them apart with a screwdriver.

[Bansh-eman]

are you saying that once you push the brake lever the caliper stay locked or are you saying that the new pads are just rubbing because when you swapped the pads the caliper didnt retract all the way in?

[J-Madd]

I think he means the new, thicker pads won't fit in the caliper because the piston is pushed out.

 

 

Also, brakes don't just quit working..they fade over time. I'd say that they just need to be bled, or that the master cylinder is bad.

[Face]

Right the neweer pads wont fit because I can not get the Piston to retract.

 

Also some info on how to bleed them would be great. I had a 75' chevy Nova and I had no trouble when I would do the brakes on that deal, but the Shee is giving me HELL.

 

They didnt fade either the pedal just went soft on them, That is why I think I need to bleed them!

Thanks guys

[J-Madd]

Put the old pads in, and place a flat blade screwdriver between them. Turn the screwdriver to open the gap between the pads. That will press the piston in. Then you should be able to put the new pads in.

 

As far as bleeding the brakes. You can buy a cheap bleeder at an auto parts store, or just pump the pedal until you feel pressure, then hold the pedal down, and open the bleeder screw on the caliper assembly until air/fluid comes out. Repeat it until no air bubbles out. Always close the screw before letting up on the pedal.

[dragbanshee]

Seems like its never going to happen but it will just be patient! I just went through it. I had a rougher time with the rear than I did the front full dual lines.

[Face]

Sweet! thanks for all the input guys!

For some stupid reason I think I need to stop. We spend all this money to go fast and you dont think about the breaks until they go out!

[jbooker82]

Use a C clamp to push the piston back in.

[Face]

Use a C clamp to push the piston back in.

 

That is what I tried and I couldnt get it to retract far enough.

[dragbanshee]

That is what I tried and I couldnt get it to retract far enough.

That should do it unless it is frozen.

[Face]

That should do it unless it is frozen.

 

And if they are frozen then what?????

[T_Shee]

if your parking brake mechanism is still intact then thats probably whats keeping the piston from going all the way in. so if it is stil on there take it off and get a block off plate but dont keep trying to push the piston in because youll brake something. as for the bleeding you should b able to get them blead out if you just keep doing it, if not you may need a mighty vac. a lot of times if the pads get worn down so thin then all your brake fluid will be in the line and caliper so theres not enough in the reservoir for the brakes to work. i bet once you get the new pads on your brakes will work fine as long as yoiu havent opened the system up at all

[J-Madd]

if your parking brake mechanism is still intact then thats probably whats keeping the piston from going all the way in. so if it is stil on there take it off and get a block off plate but dont keep trying to push the piston in because youll brake something. as for the bleeding you should b able to get them blead out if you just keep doing it, if not you may need a mighty vac. a lot of times if the pads get worn down so thin then all your brake fluid will be in the line and caliper so theres not enough in the reservoir for the brakes to work. i bet once you get the new pads on your brakes will work fine as long as yoiu havent opened the system up at all

 

 

Parking brake...that's what I was going to say next as well.