Rear Brake Question
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Franklin WI
Rear Pads
I just did my father's brakes on another GM vehicle (Cadillac) and his stated the same thing. What there talking about is a special spanner wrench used to turn the cylinder back in. I believe they need to be screwed back in due to this feature doubles as a part of the parking brake feature.
I used a duck-bill needle nose pliers to turn the cylinder/piston back in. The initial force required can be more than you think to break free the rust.dust/corrosion etc. After that they turn easily. DO NOT USE A C CLAMP LIKE YOU DO ON THE FRONTS.
I used a duck-bill needle nose pliers to turn the cylinder/piston back in. The initial force required can be more than you think to break free the rust.dust/corrosion etc. After that they turn easily. DO NOT USE A C CLAMP LIKE YOU DO ON THE FRONTS.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by Bruce1899
I am about to replace my rear pads. I've been told I need a spec tool to screw in the piston to the calipers. Do the pistions screw into the calipers?
It's probably not a bad idea to crack the bleeder and using a rubber hose on it, flush the caliper fluid into a container for disposal. Once you're done just add clean fluid to the master as needed.
GUSTO
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
No wrench necessary to push the piston back in.
Learned a great time saver tip from Corvette Fever magazine I'd like to pass along - use a large screwdriver on the top and bottom of the caliper to pry the caliper out (and thus the piston in) before you remove the caliper. Cuts the time to switch pads by quite a bit by not having to fool with the C-clamp. Real handy for guys like me that switch between street and track pads.
Hope that helps someone.
Learned a great time saver tip from Corvette Fever magazine I'd like to pass along - use a large screwdriver on the top and bottom of the caliper to pry the caliper out (and thus the piston in) before you remove the caliper. Cuts the time to switch pads by quite a bit by not having to fool with the C-clamp. Real handy for guys like me that switch between street and track pads.
Hope that helps someone.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Just used a 40 yr old C-clamp on the fronts AND backs...no problem.
If you use a screw driver it seems you might nick the edge of the caliper piston or scratch the rotor...no???
(PS did my first brake job and front rotors...so now I'm an expert
)
DH
If you use a screw driver it seems you might nick the edge of the caliper piston or scratch the rotor...no???
(PS did my first brake job and front rotors...so now I'm an expert
) DH
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
I have used a special tool on Saturns to "screw" the cylinder back in - and it does screw in - but I did not think the C5 needs a special tool.
I have always used either a large C clamp or a wide jaw vise grip works well too.
I have always used either a large C clamp or a wide jaw vise grip works well too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Dirty Howie
Just used a 40 yr old C-clamp on the fronts AND backs...no problem.
If you use a screw driver it seems you might nick the edge of the caliper piston or scratch the rotor...no???
(PS did my first brake job and front rotors...so now I'm an expert)
DH
If you use a screw driver it seems you might nick the edge of the caliper piston or scratch the rotor...no???
(PS did my first brake job and front rotors...so now I'm an expert
) DH
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Joe_G
It doesn't hurt anything, you use the screwdrivers underneath the top and bottom edge of the caliper and the caliper mount, and you pry the front of the caliper toward you. You don't touch the pistons or the rotor, just the caliper backside edges and the caliper mount. It's hard to describe, but once you see someone do it, or a picture of someone doing it, it's obvious. There was a pic in this month's Corvette Fever mag if I recall. I found it to be a good time saver, because the c clamp always shifted on me and only pushed in one piston at a time!
I knew i was getting suckered into buying that expensive $5 C-clamp.
Frank...........
DH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington Ca.
Originally Posted by Dirty Howie
OK...I get what you mean. You lever the whole caliper against the mount and the piston slides in
I knew i was getting suckered into buying that expensive $5 C-clamp.
Frank...........
DH
I knew i was getting suckered into buying that expensive $5 C-clamp.
Frank...........
DH
Last edited by frank dupuy; Dec 20, 2005 at 08:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by deec73
How much do dealerships charger for a front and back brake job?
BTW, all us "C" clamp users here are correct. The parking brake design is different on different vehicles. Those that utilize the caliper piston for both braking and parking, need to have the piston screwed back into the caliper when replacing rear pads. The special tool Bruce1899 asks about makes it easy. The C5 does not.
A "C" clamp (or Joe_G's expensive GlobeMaster screwdrivers
)will work just fine.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by Joe_G
It doesn't hurt anything, you use the screwdrivers underneath the top and bottom edge of the caliper and the caliper mount, and you pry the front of the caliper toward you. You don't touch the pistons or the rotor, just the caliper backside edges and the caliper mount. It's hard to describe, but once you see someone do it, or a picture of someone doing it, it's obvious. There was a pic in this month's Corvette Fever mag if I recall. I found it to be a good time saver, because the c clamp always shifted on me and only pushed in one piston at a time!
Bill
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Anderson SC
Been a few weeks, but I had this in my favorites.
I had front brakes put on at a local sports cars shop. It was 85 bucks labor including turning both front rotors. I bought Wagner thermal core pads, and so far, im happy with them. They seem like good pads.
I had front brakes put on at a local sports cars shop. It was 85 bucks labor including turning both front rotors. I bought Wagner thermal core pads, and so far, im happy with them. They seem like good pads.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by John Shiels
two thumbs will get it done. you can push them in with your hands
Sometimes I use a hammer handle and just push it in also.
I hate getting that crap on my hands when I get in a hurry and don't put gloves on.