[Droptune]

Hi everyone,

My Wife complained about her brakes being noisey this past week so we went for a drive and it was just metal on metal, the pads were down to absolutely nothing in the rear. So I got new pads and rotors and set to replace the problematic side.
I removed the driver side rear and got it all apart. Now I’m trying to compress the piston again but it’s so extended I can’t fit to the tool on the space to spin and push. I need advice on how to get it back in, and if the piston IS overextended now what do I do?? Any advice would be great.

 

[Cooper]

Needle nose pliers until tool fits?

Other tool that fits? My tool would fit. Auto parts store that loans tools?

Just did rears on my '14 Escape. Outer pads were at spec, 1.5 mm.

 

[skidplate]

You can go to most any auto parts store to get one of those generic little cube with the various spaced prongs that lock into a caliper to twist them back in and just push it in by hand until you can fit your tool in there. Or if you're lucky enough where your car doesn't have the ebrake built into the caliper you can just push the piston in. If it really did pop out too far, you'll know pretty quick and you would need to either rebuild the caliper or buy a new one.

 

[Butcher]

I suggest you purchase new/rebuilt calipers. It seems that you are over your head and your wife is much more important than the pride on fixing it yourself.

Those appear to be rear calipers and there is a special procedure to 'push' those pistons back.

 

[Thatuhhhhguy]

If you have an Electronic parking brake you have to disassemble the caliper to spin back the piston, not a hard job but it is messy.

 

[Droptune]

It appears the calliper is just to far extended and that particular side (driver rear) had the pads worn down quite a bit more than anywhere else so I’m assuming the calliper is seized and will need to replace. Anyone know a DIY tutorial for this? While I have a good idea in what I’m doing I always like a tutorial to for its tricks and tips! Thanks. Car is a simple MK VI Jetta.

 

[Butcher]

If the caliper is seized, then it is no good. The caliper piston must be rotated as well as pushed.

You are talking about brakes and done wrong can kill people. There is so much information on the internet if you cannot find it, just buy another caliper. I cannot stress enough that you seem to be over your head and it's nothing you should be playing around with.

Of course, this is my opinion and considering I am a butcher, you'll probably discount it.

 

[Droptune]

I know the calliper is seized, and that’s why I’m replacing it or getting it rebuilt by someone and then reinstalling. I had no intention of rebuilding it myself.

 

[rmchambers]

I had a similar thing on my Jetta, it's a 2003 and original as far as I could tell. One wheel would "bind" a little. I had replaced the seals and cleaned up the pistons once before so it was time. Get a new pair of calipers and the flexible hose for them and put new. Less hassles that way.