Well I got a set of Hawk pads for the front. I got the old ones out and put the new pads on. I go to lower the cylinder body but I cant push the piston back at all to get it over the new pads. What do I have to do smack it with something? I just tried pushing it in by hand. I have the brake fluid cap loosened. Help!

Thanks.

 

generally you can use a C clamp to compress the piston back in place.

 

Thanks for the quick reply shodog. I'll give it a shot.

 

That did it! Thanks again! THis is why this is a great forum!

 

My reply is obviously late, but you can't push the piston by hand. If you don't have a C-clamp, be creative and get something like a wrench to slide through; this way you can apply pressure with two hands and can apply more force.

 

Aha, that's the key I must have vaguely remembered.....A C clamp.
I thought it was soemthing like that.....

C.

 

Keep in mind the C-clamp works great for the front but the rear caliper needs to be turned back in with a special pronged tool. Using a C-clamp on the rear caliper will damage it.

 

Ah, then there is a special tool, but only for the rears. TNX.
C.

 

Good info. Thanks everyone. After a few pumps on the pedal I test drove and everything's great. Luckily I changed them today. The stocks were wearing kinda bad after 20K miles.

I guess you have to go to Nissan or Infinit for the rear tool?

 

You can also use the old worn out brake pad to pry/push the pistons back into the caliper. This is especially nice on fixed calipers.

I've also heard that pushing the pistons back in on cars with abs pumps/controllers/what ever they are called can be hazardess. I've heard some people using a clamp to pinch the brake fluid flow off to the abs pump, cracking the bleeder valve, and then prying the pistons back in. Something about forcing the fluid back into the abs pump when it's not on may do damage to it. Just a thought.....I've personally never been too concerned about it on my cars with abs.

sean

 

You can get the retraction tool for the rear cylinder at any well stocked auto parts store. Sears used to carry them but I haven't looked in a while.

 

Rear retracking tool...Thanks, I'll hunt around. I just ordered some Hawk pads for the rear. After Nissan/Infiniti day at Raceway Park the rear passenger pads are squeeking.

Peace,

X

 

Damn! I started work on the rears yesterday and accidentally stripped a lower caliper bolt. $hiz!!!! Any suggestions before I bring it to a shop. I hope I won't need a new caliper in the end. Arrggghhh....

 

Damn, that sucks, that is why I don't work on my cars anymore, way too man "accidents" like that became regular. The last one was, I was changing my coolant in a car I had way back then, and I broke off the valve, damn, luckily, I had an old truck, so I could at least take the radiator to be fixed! Good luck on this one!