problem changing disc brake pads

[maverick]

Hi,I know this will be a bit basic for some readers,but any advice will be helpful to me.

This afternoon tried changing my front brake pads,with Haynes in hand all seemed quite simple until I tried to push the pistons back to fit the new much fatter pads,no way could I get them to go retract.

Am I missing something?,I know you can use a tool to push them back,do I need to remove the caliper to access the pistons and use a tool.

Could it be that I have a stuck piston,because behind the stiffest one,(left hand piston,drivers side the pad was worn to near zero ,whilst other pad is about 25% worn only).The opposite piston I managed to push in a couple of mm or so by just pushing on the edge with the side of a screwdriver.

Anyway do I need to remove the caliper,in which case I can use a screw puller device I used on my daily driver(Nissan).

What do other people do?

As I say advice help would be appreciated,

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[Mark S]

imported post

I leave the pads in place and prise them back as far asthey will go with a big screwdriver before removing them.

Mark.

[maverick]

imported post

hi Mark,do you do this by prizing a large screwdriver or simular between pad an disc?

Main problem being couldnt get left side piston to move,had problem getting pad out on that sidemind you bit of an akward angle

Thanks Mark

[stustag]

imported post

Hi Mark

Put a pipe on the bleed nipple then undo turn and a half lever the pistons back. After bleed the brakes as you will need new fluid anyway as it normall hasn't been change for years!

Stuart

[maverick]

imported post

Thanks Stustag,I had considerd this thinking it would relieve the pressure ,is that a correct assumption?,but never had any experience bleeding brakes,can I isolate that particular hub an bleed?.

An yes you are right,........ fluid has been same for 8 yrs that I know of an is a job on list of many,but thought I would be able to manage pad change myself,keep trying to do more simple jobs to improve basic maintenance skills.

Thanks Mark

[stustag]

imported post

Bleeding the brakes has to be done by the book starting at the NSR then the OSR then the NSF then the OSF then most likely all of them again!

However you may be able to get away without as long as you keep the fluid topped up when you push the pistons back. The only time you need to bleed is when air has entered the system or to replace the fluid.

Stuart

[maverick]

imported post

Can I just bleed some out ie,egg cup full via bleed nipple to ease pressure,without having to bleed whole system?,then as you say top up the lost fluid.

Thanks

[stustag]

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Yesthat is correct as long as the pedal feels hard afterwards.

Stuart

[maverick]

imported post

Thanks Stuart