Rear Brake pad installation on C3

[Gary S.]

Is it possible to install the rear pads on a 72 without this - http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&.

I am sweating like a dog, my back is sore from bending over and I cannot get the pistons to stay in no matter what I try. MC cap is open, new caliper with all new hardware and the pistons spring back so quickly. The outer pad was tough enough but it was possible to get a couple of screwdriver shafts up from the bottom to hold the pistons in. Not so with the inner.

Ideas?

Thanks and have a safe Labor Day.

[Gary S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Well, I should have searched harder. I found a link of the "other" Corvette forum and someone suggested using a wide putty knife. I slid it down in but it didn't have enough firmness to hold the pistons in. It did, however, allow me to slide the pads in a little and they forced the pistons back using the putty knife blade as a press.

Thank you,
Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Is it possible to install the rear pads on a 72 without this - http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&.

I am sweating like a dog, my back is sore from bending over and I cannot get the pistons to stay in no matter what I try. MC cap is open, new caliper with all new hardware and the pistons spring back so quickly. The outer pad was tough enough but it was possible to get a couple of screwdriver shafts up from the bottom to hold the pistons in. Not so with the inner.

Ideas?

Thanks and have a safe Labor Day.

Gary-----


Did you open the bleeder valves to relieve any residual hydraulic pressure?

[Gary S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Joe,
I did not. I did have the cap off of the MC but I suppose opening the bleeder would have relieved the immediate pressure there. Didn't think of that. I guess being out of the Corvette repair business for almost 10 years takes its toll on repair tricks of the trade.

Thank you.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

I've used a C-clamp before with no problems.

[Gary S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Patrick,
How do you get a C clamp done into channel between the disk and the piston. Or do you mean just to compress the piston? My pistons move easily enough but the spring pressure forces them back out. Of course, as Joe L. noted, my bleeders were closed and I must have had some hydraulic pressure behind them too.

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Joe,
I did not. I did have the cap off of the MC but I suppose opening the bleeder would have relieved the immediate pressure there. Didn't think of that. I guess being out of the Corvette repair business for almost 10 years takes its toll on repair tricks of the trade.

Thank you.

Gary------


You have to leave the bleeder valves open while you press the pistons back in their bores. However, close the bleeder valves before the pistons move forward or you'll draw air into the system.

Also, removing the master cylinder cover won't do a thing for you as far as facilitating moving the pistons back into the bores.

[Gary S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Now I find this out! . The job is done but I will put this note into the memory banks and hopefully remember it for the next occasion.

Thank you

[Patrick H.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Gary,

Use the C clamp with the old pads to compress the pistons back in the bore. You can then use those clips you showed to keep them in place.

[Gary S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Ok, that is what I thought. However, these piston compress rather easily but, because I failed to open the bleeders, they still had pressure behind them and sprang back out. All is done, bleeding done and the wheels go back on tomorrow.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Gary,
I'm glad you got the job done but for you in the future and others reading this- NEVER, EVER, push the pistons into the brake calipers with the master cylinder cover off!!!! Back in the "early days" I did this and paid dearly for it. Unknown to me at the the rear wheels, when I pushed in the pistons, fluid squirted out of the master all over a front fender. As you know, the best paint remover known to man is brake fluid. What a mess! I purchased one of these tools many years ago and have used it every time I changed pads. When removing a caliper with the pads installed, I cut 2 small wood blocks slightly wider than the rotor and as I lift off the caliper I insert the blocks between the pads. This holds the pads out and the calipers just slip over the rotors.
Jeff

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Along with the old pads, a very small piece of 2x4 would work as it's 1 1/2" and the rotors are 1 1/4 correct?

[Gary S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Jeff,
Thankfully, that is one issue that I was prepared for. While the cap bales were loose, I left the cap on, only slightly ajar so as to prevent any splashing.

edit:
Now that I have some coffee, I re-read your post. So you take the calipers off with the pads installed, using the wooden blocks to hold everything together and compressed? Interesting. However, in my 10+ years of owning this 72, this is the first time that I have had a need to do this. It is, however, a good technique.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Rear Brake pad installation on C3

Gary,
Yes, anytime I need to remove a caliper, with or without the hose connected, I use this method so that on installation I don't have to fight with the 4 pistons. Everybody has their own little tricks and this is one of mine.
Jeff