Brake pad trick
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Gambrills Maryland
Brake pad trick
I am changing my brake pads for the first time...new to me C3. Is there a way to install the new pads without removing the caliper. The manual talks about pushing back the pistons with some tool. I cant get any tool like two screw drivers in there and stick the new pad in at the same time. Am I missing the trick?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Im not sure that You can get the brake pads out without removing at least one caliper bolt then rotating the caliper upwards to clear rotor. The problem will be that the brakes always have a slight bit of pressure on them so they will always want to close slightly making it slightly difficult to hold them open enough to slip over rotor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
There is a tool but I don't own it, I just pull the caliper install the pads and reinstall. It goes pretty quickly.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Williston Florida
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
It's easy if you have a wide putty knife (~5"). Just pull the pin and pull the first pad out. Before the pistons close the gap to the rotor, push the putty knife in to hold the pistons back and then insert the new pad between the putty knife and the rotor. The new pad will wedge the putty knife towards the pistons and drop right in. Repeat on the other side.
Note: If the old pads were really thin, the push back of the pistons may cause some brake fluid to overflow the MC reservoir. It will help to pull some fluid out of the MC down about 3/4" from the top of the MC before doing this.
Note: If the old pads were really thin, the push back of the pistons may cause some brake fluid to overflow the MC reservoir. It will help to pull some fluid out of the MC down about 3/4" from the top of the MC before doing this.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
A trick
I pull the calipers like others because it's easier. However, when I'm pulling the calipers I pull them about a 1/2 inch up and with a dial indicator I measure the distance between the pads. Once measured I pull the calipers off and change out the pads. I then cut a 1X4 block of wood to 3" long and a little wider (0.010") than the distance I measured between the pads and use this block to hold the pads open while I slip the caliper over the rotor. The rotor pushes the block out as the calipers are lowered. The block has worked great on all the disk pad jobs I've done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
this is what i use but i did make my own with spring metal.http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...arched=602-980
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Warren IL
Why on earth would you pull the calipers to change the pads? They load from the top. Just pull the pin and slide them out.
To put them back in a keep a piece of sheet metal around that's about the same width as the pads and about 4 inches high. I just slide it in pull the pistons back and slide the pads in.
If you need a tool to push the pistons back on your C3 Vette, then it's time for new calipers!
To put them back in a keep a piece of sheet metal around that's about the same width as the pads and about 4 inches high. I just slide it in pull the pistons back and slide the pads in.
If you need a tool to push the pistons back on your C3 Vette, then it's time for new calipers!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 74
From: New Carlisle IN
I use someting simmilar to the tool that terry82 linked too. You slide that down between the piston and pad. You then pull the pad out and the piston will stay where it is. You then slide the new pad in.
I have also used a small prybar (screwdriver) to push the old pad against the pistons untill they were all the way in. I can then pull the old pad out and slip the new pad in before the pistons push out too far.
Rember to push the pistons in straight. If they get cocked they can mess up the bore and it will cause a leak.
I have also used a small prybar (screwdriver) to push the old pad against the pistons untill they were all the way in. I can then pull the old pad out and slip the new pad in before the pistons push out too far.
Rember to push the pistons in straight. If they get cocked they can mess up the bore and it will cause a leak.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have a lot of pad wear, pushing the pistons back in the caliper (in order to make room for the new, thicker pad) can back-fill the master cylinder. Make sure that there is "room" for the fluid or use a turkey baster [or whatever] to remove some fluid so there is no spill-over when the M/C cover is removed.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I am changing my brake pads for the first time...new to me C3. Is there a way to install the new pads without removing the caliper. The manual talks about pushing back the pistons with some tool. I cant get any tool like two screw drivers in there and stick the new pad in at the same time. Am I missing the trick?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
this is what i use...http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...arched=602-980
Brake pads can be changed without removing the calipers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
If for whatever reason you do pull the calipers, I load the pads in place and put an appropriate sized socket between them to hold them in place. Then as you put the calipers into place, the socket simply rolls out from the pressure against the rotor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
Made the job very easy. No need to pull caliper.