Help!

[fr0st]

I was trying to bleed my brakes today and royally f**ked up.

I had the brake pads out to put anti squeal stuff on them and was bleeding them while they were drying in the sun. Initially it was all good and it was bleeding fine but I pressed the pedal in too fast and 2 pistons extended out to the rotor

I used a screw driver to get them back a few mm but they won't move any further. I tried a brake piston depressing tool but that didn't do anything. To top it off I can't get the caliper off the car to clamp the pistons in a vice or something.

If anyone can help me out I'll buy you a carton or something (or cash I don't care). I don't think I'll be able to get a mobile mechanic to come out before saturday and I don't want to miss the skip pan day

If anyone can help me out with a solution or a breaker bar or even a mobile mechanic that can come out I'd be very very grateful

Cheers for the help

-Matt

[SteveL]

Don't try to force the pistons back. More than likely they are no longer 'square' in the bore and if you try to force them back you could damage the caliper bore and have even bigger problems. Best thing to do is to put a piece of wood of suitable thickness between the pistons and the disk (also in the same place for the other pair of pistons - obviously thicker). That will prevent the pistons from coming out completely. Close the bleeder and gently pressurise the brake system using the pedal. Eventually the pistons should free up and come 'square' again. When they do, stop, open the bleeder, and then push the pistons back keeping them absolutely square to the bore.

If the pistons do come out of the bore past the seal (you might hear a 'pop' if they do). Don't panic, although brake fluid will go everywhere, it's simply a matter of pushing them back square as above.

Once back in position, remember to put the dust seals back into postion, then bleed the system as normal and wash off any brake fluid ASAP esp from painted parts.

And of course remember - don't bleed the system without the pads in place.

Good luck

Edit: if you have any other brake pads removed (ie from other calipers), make sure you put them back before making any attempt to move the pistons in the 'problem' caliper.

Edited September 28, 2006 by SteveL

[fr0st]

I'll give it a go, I just need to find something thin and strong enough to wedge in there.

Cheers for the help

Update -

I got them back in!! It was an alignment thing like you said, I just had to push them gently evenly and they eventually went back in. I think I'll name my first born steve now