Brake calipers & changing brake pads.?

On my 98 Grand Prix I just got the calipers off and took out the old brake pads. I am now attempting to put in the new pads. But they are so thick that they do not fit. My guess is that I need to create more room by pushing the piston in farther. But how do I do that?Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
I sometimes use a large %26quot;C%26quot; clamp. I clamp the back of the caliper to the old pad and tighten slowly to push the piston all the way in. Tighten the clamp real slowly to keep from pushing the fluid too fast and to keep the piston straight.

Good luck.Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
some are compressed by force and some require a tool that you twist and when twisted the piston goes in. Try a large wrench or clamp and use the old pads to protect the piston and seal and see if you can push the piston back in. If it doesn't move slowly then the piston needs to be turned to be put back into position. If that is the case go to kragens, autozone and rent the tool.



To easily tell if it is the type that twists in see if there are perpendicular groves on the piston. Basically looks like a screw that would require a very large phillips head.



it would look like this

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4521/Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
I use a huge (HUGE!) pair of channel lock pliers. A c-clamp or other device can also work. If it won't budge, you can loosen the bleeder screw to reduce the hydraulic pressure.Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
USUALLY, if the piston is a hollow-like tube, then they can simply be compressed using a large c-clamp. DONT forget to pop the top off of the master cylinder!!!!! And do this slowly, so you don't rupture the brake line. If the piston is solid-looking with a cap on the end, these are the type that has to be %26quot;screwed%26quot; back in. I have had success using a pair of pliers/channel locks to turn it while I tightened the c-clamp.Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
Don't loosen your brake lines!! You'll introduce air into the system and have squishy brakes.



Take the cap off the brake fluid reservoir, and take a 'c' clamp and very slowly recompress the piston. Compress it all the way, and the pads will slot in easily. You may have to take some fluid out of the master cylinder, as you compress the caliper piston the level will rise. (Don't spill it, it will eat paint like nobody's business.)



If you don't have a c clamp, use whatever tool will recompress it. but make sure the piston is flat while you're pushing it.



Good luck.Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
If it is the fronts, you need to compress them.

If you go to the auto zone site you can find a repair guide for this car.Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
Either with a piston depressing tool or a C-Clamp and block of wood.



Best way to do this is to take the lid off of the master cylinder and cover the opening with a rag. Lets the back pressure ease off a little easier.



Next, place the pad side of an old break pad against the piston and use the piston depressor to recess the piston. It's easy. It just uses pressure on the back of the caliper and with a screw in system, presses the piston back in.



If you don't have one of those, get a C-Clamp and a piece of wood. Press the block of wood against the piston and slowly press the piston back in with the clamp.



I doubt it being a 98 it's a worm gear piston but check to be sure. Some calipers (again, I highly doubt it) use a worm gear to resses the piston. Check for a hex nut on the side of the caliper and turn that counter clockwise.Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
You can buy the proper tools from Autozone. It cost me $13.00. Its a special tools to push the caliper piston back in. Just ask them and they will sell you the right tools...Brake calipers %26amp; changing brake pads.?
The cheap and effective way out is go to Sears and get an adjustable screw carpenters clamp. Place an old brake pad across the caliper piston, slide the clamp behind the caliper and screw the adjustment part of the clamp directly on the old brake pad. The piston will detract fully.