[Joey Proulx]

This morning I went to swap in some new front brake pads on my '88 Pickup (SR5 4x4, if that matters). The right side went on fine, but the driver's side gave me some problems.

When I tried to compress the pistons into the caliper, the 'outer' brake pads went fine, but the 'inner' pad won't budge. The top piston is compressing slightly, but the bottom of the two won't move, leaving the old, worn-out pad pressing slightly against the rotor. I have linked a picture to aid in my description (note: the picture is one I found online, so it is not the correct side of the truck - however, it does basically show what I am describing).

If I pull hard enough, I can get the old pad out, but there is no way I can fit the new pad in there. Does this mean I have a frozen caliper? I bled some of the coolant out and tried to compress the piston again, thinking maybe there was pressure in the system, but that didn't work either.

Also, does anyone know of an online how-to for bleeding a brake system? I know it's not too hard, but I've never done it before.

Guh, why do the simple jobs always turn into the hardest!! <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0">

Thanks.

 

[OOP'S]

Did you open the bleeder valve and use two screwdrivers to try and push the pistons in?

 

[Joey Proulx]

Yes I did. All that did was spill fluid on my driveway and make me more discouraged.

 

[KLF]

What you need to do is rebuild your calipers, you will have a HELL of a time getting that stuck piston out. Or, you can just buy a new (re-man'ed) caliper. It's cheaper to do the rebuild, but it takes a lot longer.

C'mon down to my house in Salem, I'll show ya how to do it, I have all the tools, and I've done the job 3-4 times now. In the middle of it now on my '84, as a matter of fact.

 

[Raker]

i did a disk brake swap on my fj and found that i had a frozen piston. i was too cheap to buy a rebuilt so i took penetrating oil and sprayed it under the rubber boot on the piston. then i put force on teh piston with a c clamp and it slowly moved in. i put teh caliper in place and steped on teh brakes hard until it came out. i did it about 4 times befoer it loosed up but it saved me some money. good luck

 

[Mr. Yuck]

without breaking (hehe) the rubber boot remove it
then get a rod and a bfh and beat it loose
then pull it out by drilling a hole (don't drill to far in!) in the back of the calliper using the rod and bfh and push it out.
take the rust off, lube it up using brake grease shove it in there
seal up the hole you drilled hole using something similar to a gland nut and steel pipe sealant.
and put the rubber boot back on

sure you could spend a couple bucks and buy a kit but this is a lot more fun!! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[dflesher65]

I went to a Pep Boys and bought Calipers that came with pads for around $50 to $60 for the pair,and came with a lifetime warrenty. I know Pep boys is the best but they wern't Pep boys brand <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0">