Replacing brake pads
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Replacing brake pads
Im gonna be replacing brake pads front and rear and turning the rotors in the near future. Ive had them apart before and its no big deal. However, When I pulled the pads last time the caliper pistons sprung out and I lost some fluid and had to re-bleed. Ive seen the clips available to hold the pistons in place while removing the pads. Ide rather find a method on my own to hold the pistons in and save the $ on the clips. Does anyone have a technique they can share that they have used in the pass which will help me perform this task without having to buy the clips?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
Re: Replacing brake pads (Jvette73)
I've always spread the pads as far as I can before I remove them from the calipers. If you are careful you really don't need anything to keep them spread. (Just don't press the brake pedal :) )
I've never had a piston come out on me. Ya gotta be careful.
If you are concerned about a piston... a block of word or equivalent is a good thing. :thumbs:
I've never had a piston come out on me. Ya gotta be careful.
If you are concerned about a piston... a block of word or equivalent is a good thing. :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Replacing brake pads (Jvette73)
Givin the fact that there springs behind the pistons my main concern was the lip seal comming out. I could tackle that too without much trouble anyhow. The calipers were all rebuilt by me not too long ago so I suppose the outer dust seal should help keep them in place as well. I just picked up PFC carbon metalic pads. They come with backing plates which my current pads do not have. Should I use the backing plates provided with the new pads? What advantages will they give me?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Replacing brake pads (Jvette73)
... However, When I pulled the pads last time the caliper pistons sprung out and I lost some fluid and had to re-bleed. Ive seen the clips available to hold the pistons in place while removing the pads. ...
Get the clips or make some! Have had the original one piece clip a long time.
The clips are the way to go- fast & easy pad changes!
:cool:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,751
Likes: 2,499
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Replacing brake pads (Jvette73)
The clips are worth it. I'v also read to use a piece of styrofoam inbetween and as you slide the caliper down it will push right out.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Replacing brake pads (Jvette73)
I didn't like having to push the pistons around the last time I removed/reinstalled the pads, so I bought the clips to have for the next time.
Hopefully, they'll work well.
Hopefully, they'll work well.
