Im in the middle of changing the front brake pads on my 98 Escort
I have the housing off, old pads out and new ones in - I cant get the housing to fit.. the piston wont push back...
how do I get the piston back so the housing fits with the shiney new pads ?
Cheers ears !
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The way I do it is to place a piece of wood across the end of the piston, then using a convenient bit of the caliper as a fulcrum, gently push the piston back in with some form of lever (screwdriver, another piece of wood etc - whatever fits basically). This way ensures as far as possible that you are getting a square push on the end of the piston, i.e. it must be pushed in squarely in line with the direction of travel of the piston. You may need a couple of different levers of different thicknesses as the piston goes in. Use something reasonably long to get a good leverage.
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Sorry, almost forgot - be careful you don't push excess fluid out of the top of the brake reservoir - if there is a danger of that, siphon or otherwise safely remove any excess.
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Hi Mike,get one of those G clamps that screw down, you will need a large one, place a small block of wood over the piston to protect it, place on the clamp, and you should be able to push the piston back by screwing down the clamp. I am not a mechanic, but have found that this works everytime for me. Hope this helps, Cheers, Graham.
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And if the piston won't push back, then you'll need a replacement caliper, or overhaul the existing caliper.
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I use a G cramp with waste wood on both sides to cushion the pressure. Screw in very slowly and then ease off a bit, then screw in, and ease off. I think there is less likelyhood of something snapping, comapred to using a big bar and fulcrum. Slacken off the brake fluid cap. Some fluid may overflow, so siphon a bit off.
Good luck.
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Thanks guys... I gave up the wimp I am.. Leave it to my Bro.. he knows exactly what he is doing !
Did manage to change a whole back box all by myself which im pretty pleased with !
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*Good Tip*
If your brake resevoir fills up too much, use a syringe to take some out
Get a syringe 10ml or 20ml from a chemist or farm supplies shop - - 20p to 45p for a syringe.
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Get a syringe 10ml or 20ml from a chemist or farm supplies shop - - 20p to 45p for a syringe.
theres loads in my cellar grate from passing druggies
just wish i could catch them
with regards the brake fluid i just take the resevoir top off let the brake fluid overflow out ,then when done top on and wash down with copious amounts of water.
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You are not a wimp for letting someone with more experience go the work. You are sensible to realize that brakes are important, and you can learn much by just watching, learning, and asking questins. It use to be called gaining experience.
In fact, this is the best way to learn. How do your brother get the psitons back?
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Pushing back calipers is MUCH easier and far safer (on the master cylinder seals which May invert) by opening the relevant bleed valve and attaching a bleeder tube and forcing out the excess fluid that way.
It also prevents overflows at the master cyclinder.
Also be careful with Ford front brake flexible pipes: when old they can collapse internally if you put a brake clamp on them for any reason.
madf
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Good tip - re: the bleed screw, I'll do that in future.
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I use a cooking 'baster' to suck out excess fluid, but the opening of a bleed screww is more sensible
I use an old vice to screw back pistons , it has wide jaws though.
and yes, an Escort front flexible popped on me many years ago, had chafed on suspension. then Ford revised design, be careful with these flexibles - when popped there is NO braking.
as I found out , luckily going very slowly.
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Morning all..
Youll all be very pleased with me. Ive managed to replace the pads all by myself !! No more grinding or squeeking ! The old pad had no pad at all.. was braking on the metal bit !
I know it aint a big job, Im learning !
Mike
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Well done !
But on a more serious note, if the old pad was down to metal it will have damaged the disc; you would be well advised to change them too (always in pairs). Do it quickly before the new pads are used much or you will need new pads again too.
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Hi, not being big headed, hopefully helpfull! I always push the pistons back in before I strip the pads out as there is less chance of damaging seal etc by pushing the piston back skew whiff. Also, if you unscrew the master cylinder cap a turn or two this will allow the fluid to return more easily. (Do not leave the cap off as the brake fluid will collect water and air from the atmosphere, or so I'm told!)
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