need help with front brakes asap!

[boourns]

hi i am, a the moment, putting new brake pads on my vp commodore. i have lifted the caliper up, put the pads on each side of the machine wheel but i have a problem. forgive me but it is my first time with pretty much no knowledge of how to do this so i need to ask. how do new brakes fit in??? like ive put them in where they sit, but when i go to pul the caliper back down, it is like the gap on the caliper isnt wide enough to fit both new pads between it where the hooks on the top of the pads go through... if u get me.. how do i widen the caliper? help would be heaps appreciated as im stuck on this atm and i really need to change these brakes tonite. thanks

[azkwazere]

hi i am, a the moment, putting new brake pads on my vp commodore. i have lifted the caliper up, put the pads on each side of the machine wheel but i have a problem. forgive me but it is my first time with pretty much no knowledge of how to do this so i need to ask. how do new brakes fit in??? like ive put them in where they sit, but when i go to pul the caliper back down, it is like the gap on the caliper isnt wide enough to fit both new pads between it where the hooks on the top of the pads go through... if u get me.. how do i widen the caliper? help would be heaps appreciated as im stuck on this atm and i really need to change these brakes tonite. thanks

You have ot push the piston back in, dont suppose you have a piston pusher do you?

Using an old pad, the piston has ot be SLOWLY!!!!!!!!!!!! pushed back in so it will fit back onto the disc. Dont do this with both calipers of or youll pop the other one out when you push it in. You could possibly use a G clamp...

aZk.

[boourns]

nah i dont. sorry for asking but im still learning.. what and where is the piston located on the brake?

[14secvp]

the round thing that pushes on the inside pad is the piston you might need a g-clamp to push it back in if you cant do it buy hand

[boourns]

oh ok il scope that out il let ya kno what happens thanks a lot

[azkwazere]

Its in the caliper...

Where the old pads were, you can see that there is a rubber sealed looking buldge on the underside of the caliper, thats the piston, its whats stopping you from gettint the caliper back on.

The pad should be sitting next to it, try to imagine the clearance you need and see what is in the way...

aZk.

[azkwazere]

pic... imagine this

[boourns]

yeah i found it, its made of steel right and it looks like a plenum pipe kinda. yeah well it wont budge, here is the problem im having "refer to to pic" i think i found out wat that squeaking problem was with that other thread i posted in this forum, i think that the piston is sprung out too far. e.g. like i had a look at the brake pad on the outside of the caliper, was just worn away, then looked at the one on the inside "being pushed by the piston" and it was rooted as. I think my piston is pushing the inner brake onto the machine causing it to scrheech while im driving, any way of fixing this. ive got a pic of my prob, check it out

[azkwazere]

ok, you caliper shouldn't look anything like what it does now, for one, pads go onto caliper the other way and before you put caliper on....

take a pic of caliper off for me...

aZk.

[14secvp]

I see nothing wrong with his caliper in that pic apart from the piston needs to go in its a long way out ,and piston doesnt look straight in the hole need g-clamp for sure.

[MUNTED6]

theres another way of pushing the caliper in instead of using a G-clamp or piston pusher. put the old pads in and get a screw driver between the pad n the disc and just lever it and it should push in the calaper but as one of the other guy said do one side at a time or else ull pop the piston

[azkwazere]

I see nothing wrong with his caliper in that pic apart from the piston needs to go in its a long way out ,and piston doesnt look straight in the hole need g-clamp for sure.

and that the pads arnt in the caliper... at all....

aZk.

[boourns]

ahh trying to get those pics to you but i cant get them off my fone, just by looking at that pic, can u kinda get an idea of whats wrong?

[14secvp]

yes they are in the caliper he just has half of it folded up they are in the bit thats not folded up

[azkwazere]

yes they are in the caliper he just has half of it folded up they are in the bit thats not folded up

ok, yes, but there in the wrong section, they should be in the top half as the clips have to line up or there will be uneven pad wear.

OK! You need to push the piston back in... do you have a G clamp?

aZk.

[boourns]

yeah ive just got them sitting in where they usually sit when the caliper is down, but i cant bring the caliper down because of the piston sticking that far out...

[boourns]

nah i dont have a g clamp, can i use anything else?

[azkwazere]

you need do this, slowly.... get me?

aZk.

[boourns]

ahh yeah i get you, when i do that, will the piston pop back? or just squish down?

[14secvp]

those clips are springs and they dont clip in anywhere they are to push the pads towards the centre of the hub .the top half of the caliper pushes on them holding down tension on the pads.theyre actually anti rattle springs.

[azkwazere]

You have to push it in VERY slowly to avoid damaging things, it will slowly slide back into place as you push it, thats why a G clmap is good as it can be closed very slowly.

It will slide, not pop, just do it slowly.

MAKE SURE THAT ONLY ONE! of you clipers is off at a time!

aZk.

[azkwazere]

those clips are springs and they dont clip in anywhere they are to push the pads towards the centre of the hub .the top half of the caliper pushes on them holding down tension on the pads.

they fit onto the top caliper, there not clips, your right, but its easier, and better, if they are putin top way first, the pads will sit sqew if not done right, its they way i was taught... seems to work.

You can miss align the springs, ive done it!

aZk.

[14secvp]

it will slowly move in but watch out the fluid has to go somewhere and the only place it can go without the bleed nipple open is back into the brake fluid resiviour watch it doesnt overflow and get on your paint it will eat it.youmight have to scoop some out with a spoon dont syphon it as it burns the skin in mouth and throat real bad .

[azkwazere]

he should be right should he does it slow enough, it will push the caliper onto the disc on the other side...

aZk.

[boourns]

it just seems to me tho, like, when i push that piston back, then u kno put the new pads in, its just gonna push the pads up against the disc all the time, if u kno what i mean