Brake pad installation
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 554
Likes: 82
From: San Jose CA
Brake pad installation
Hi all,
I'm installing new calipers, rotors, and pads on a '77 Corvette. Calipers and rotors went on no problem but I am having trouble getting the pads in. The pistons are spring loaded and do not stay retracted when I push them back into the caliper. There is no room to get anything in to hold them in while inserting the pads. Is there a special tool for this? Also it seems like the springs have enough force to cause the brakes to drag once I get everything together, is that typical? Does this all sound right? The calipers are rebuilds and came from Autozone.
Thanks,
Jim
I'm installing new calipers, rotors, and pads on a '77 Corvette. Calipers and rotors went on no problem but I am having trouble getting the pads in. The pistons are spring loaded and do not stay retracted when I push them back into the caliper. There is no room to get anything in to hold them in while inserting the pads. Is there a special tool for this? Also it seems like the springs have enough force to cause the brakes to drag once I get everything together, is that typical? Does this all sound right? The calipers are rebuilds and came from Autozone.
Thanks,
Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,692
Likes: 2,572
You need this tool or put the pads in before mounting the caliper using a socket or something to keep the pistons depressed.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1965-1982.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1965-1982.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,692
Likes: 2,572
There is no inboard/outboard side. The pads are placed in the uninstalled caliper. The pistons are pressed in and you place 1 socket or 1 piece of wood between the pads to hold the pistons in. You slowly slide the whole assembly over the rotor and the socket or wood is pushed out by the rotor.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If it were me, I would put the springs back in.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
This is the easy way to install pads with the caliper on using a wide blade putty knife.
Set the pad against the knife with the top just touching the handle.
slide the exposed bottom of the blade into the caliper and press back against the pistons.
Once you have the pistons depressed simply push the handle down further into the caliper and the pad goes too.
Quick and easy.
