Front Brake HELP

[dubsider]

In changing the pads the piston became stuck due to being extended for a period of time as the pads wore down.. the piston was inadvertantly pushed in too far and now we can not get enough to extend to get a grip on on it and it does not have enough room behind to blow air or fluid to push it out enough to grip it.. any ideas would be appreciated .. 

[Joe Hummer]

If the piston was pushing into the caliper too much, simply pump up the brakes and it will push it back out.

If the piston is extended out too much...you will have to get a c-clamp big enough, place one side of the old pads back in the caliper and use that as a brace to push against.  Do this only after cleaning the pistons so you don't push dirt and crap into the seals.

You said that the piston was stuck...it is stuck because it is dirty.  I take a wire brush and clean off the piston when I do a brake change...especially the back brakes.  I use a pair of pliers, grip the very end of the piston and rotate it to expose more of the dirty piston.  Just be careful not to pull out on the piston or you could pull it out completely.

Hope this helps.

[hubcapsc]

You pushed a piston all the way into the caliper and now it is stuck, or is there
more to it than that?

-Mike

[dubsider]

Yes - its pushed in to the point that it can't be gripped from the pad side and apparently can't get fluid underneath it to push it out by pumping the lever.

[Hook#3287]

Is it possible you let air in the system?  Not sure if you took the caliper off or not.  I would assemble the brake system and bleed the lines, maybe, that might do it.

[dubsider]

Yes we took the caliper off ..
we did get it out so I think we are good .. will confirm.
thanks for the replies.

[hubcapsc]

I agree with Hook... I've mashed mine slap dab all the way down in
there pretty much every time. Even a dirty stuck one should come
out with air from  a big studly (maybe bigger than what you have at
home) air compressor (I had to ask to use the one in the machine
shop at NAPA once)... or, if your system is still hooked up and
doesn't need bleeding, nothing should be able to resist the
fluid pressure when you depress the brake lever. If, on the other
hand, you already have one of the pistons out, you need to put
it back in to get the caliper to hold air pressure. Put it back in
and block it (with a board or something) so that it won't come out.
Apply air and the pressure will push on the stuck one...

-Mike