Caliper Gap Issue
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 83
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From: Texas
Caliper Gap Issue
I just put on a new caliper and installed the rear brake pad but when I go to put in the other front pad it won’t even make it into gap. I am also using the brake pads that were already in the old caliper. I have collapsed the pistons already and there is not enough room between the caliper and the rotor.
Last edited by c.martin; Nov 14, 2021 at 06:42 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 574
From: Wisconsin
You have to compress the caliper pistons back into their bores to get the pads to drop in. This can be very challenging but doable with some thin metal and some patience. The corvette places sell sheet metal clips that hold the pistons in for you and you slip the clips off after the pads drop in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
I use a small piece of wood the same thickness as the brake disc to hold the pistons and pads back while I slide the calliper into place over the disc. As the calliper slides over the disc I remove the wood same as withdrawing brake pads from an installed calliper.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I do the same, small blocks of wood that can fit back out through the top of the caliper when it slides on.Remember the vette brakes are floating with pistons on both sides so when you push one side it the fluid will go across the caliper and push the pistons on the other side out rather than trying to go all the way back to the master cylinder. Same with trying to push one piston in by itself it will push the other one beside it out.
If you already have the rear pad in you'll need to put something thinner in where the front pad will go over both pistons and then pry between the rotor and that to force the outside pistons back in.....
Easier to pull the caliper and get it all sorted out without working around the rotor
M
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,545
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From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Pushing the pistons back into the caliper bores will force old, nasty fluid back into the master cylinder. It is best to crack a bleeder valve on the caliper so that the old fluid displaced when resetting the pistons will be removed from the system entirely. Then refill the master cylinder with fresh fluid.
P.S. If you keep just a bit of pressure on the piston [or inserted new pad] when you open and when you close the bleeder valve, you should not have to re-bleed the system.
P.S. If you keep just a bit of pressure on the piston [or inserted new pad] when you open and when you close the bleeder valve, you should not have to re-bleed the system.
