Brake piston totally stubborn, please help

[Killbat]

I'm trying to change the brake pads on the front of my '91 Subaru Loyale, and the damn piston won't budge a millimeter. Tried various levers, even shoving at it with a gear puller, no luck. At my wit's end, I have no idea what to try next, this piston moves for no man. Suggestions?

 

[Beau]

Open the bleeder valve or you'll cause damage to your master cylinder. Use a large c-clamp or vice grip to push directly in, dont twist.

 

[Killbat]

The bleeder is open, it's going nowhere.

 

[Beau]

Don't know if you skipped any step, but try here

Maybe try removing the cap on your brake fluid reseviour. It sounds like the pressure is just not being released.

 

[Bulldog7000]

I use a big-'ol-C-Clamp.... A 6" one to be exact. Leave the pad that is on the piston and use that as a surface to clamp to. I have done this method on Fords and Dodges.

Good Luck

BDOG

 

[LastStop]

Some calipers require you to rotate the piston with a special attatchment to reset it. If you see notches on the piston this is most likely the case. Otherwise, a C-clamp usually works great and make sure your reservoir doesn't overflow.

I'm not sure if this is a Japanese only, but my sister's '85 Prelude had that type of piston where you rotate it cc to reset it. I had that exact same problem until I noticed those notches on it.

 

[munruss]

Originally posted by: Killbat
I'm trying to change the brake pads on the front of my '91 Subaru Loyale, and the damn piston won't budge a millimeter. Tried various levers, even shoving at it with a gear puller, no luck. At my wit's end, I have no idea what to try next, this piston moves for no man. Suggestions?

HAHAHAHAHA!!! The piston is frozen, good job! Time to buy new calibers!! CarParts

 

[J3anyus]

That's what you get for buying a Subaru

 

[Killbat]

Originally posted by: munruss

Originally posted by: Killbat
I'm trying to change the brake pads on the front of my '91 Subaru Loyale, and the damn piston won't budge a millimeter. Tried various levers, even shoving at it with a gear puller, no luck. At my wit's end, I have no idea what to try next, this piston moves for no man. Suggestions?

HAHAHAHAHA!!! The piston is frozen, good job! Time to buy new calibers!! CarParts

Thank you, that's very helpful. :|
Found the fancy, dictionary-sized book for the car, said to rotate the piston like some have suggested. Finally got it in with a bit of rotation and some more "convincing".
Thank you to those who offered constructive suggestions.

 

[Killbat]

Originally posted by: J3anyus
That's what you get for buying a Subaru

Oh come now, this car has been wonderful to us. 11 years and 115,000 miles without any major repairs besides a new clutch a few months ago. (Yea, factory clutch got past 100k) This car's got heart.

 

[J3anyus]

Meh, I'm just giving you crap because everyone that drives a Subaru here is a terrible driver, at least from what I've seen.

11 years and 115,000 miles without any major repairs besides a new clutch a few months ago. (Yea, factory clutch got past 100k) This car's got heart.

While I'm at it, I might as well brag. My car ('94 Suzuki Sidekick) has 133K miles on it, still running almost all the factory stuff. Factory clutch, engine, tranny, even the factory BATTERY (which I know is really bad, but I'm a poor student). Only major thing that had to be replaced was the brakes, but good luck finding any brakes anywhere that'll last 133K miles.