240SX brakes HELP!!!

[positron1]

I tried to install a new set of Brembo rotors and Hawk pads on the rear today and was not able to complete it. I got the rotors and the pads on and pushed the caliper piston back as far as it would go...went to put the caliper on and it would not fit. I checked and I have the right pads and rotors, everything came off just fine but will not go back on...WTF!!! I took the master cylinder cap off, turned the piston many, many times no deal. I'm stuck and my car is sitting on jackstands need some help!

[AZhitman]

You've gotta press that pison in... it's NOT easy.

Will the rotor fit into the caliper itself? If the piston is the only obstruction, it's time to get mean with it.

[redtop91]

Are both sides dismantled? Take off the other side. Put your cap back on and pump the brakes so both are fully expanded then try again. Make sure you are rotating the piston counterclockwise and compress at the same time. Needle nose pliers should suffice. Or ask Autozone to borrow their tool.

[positron1]

The piston is flush with the rubber boot but the caliper will not fit over the new pad rotor combo...it's just too tight and there's no room for the wheel to move. Both sides are dismantled.

[redtop91]

I've never seen a problem with too much meat being on the pads. If both pistons are fully compressed I guess your only option would be to shave down the pads.

[positron1]

Shave down a brand new set of Hawks...can't do it.

[redtop91]

The cheapo pads I got from Autozone had more meat than that. Even though the pistons might be even with the boot there should be more room to compress them. But unless you want to shave your rotors or send the pads back, those are the only two solutions I can envision. Use a C clamp.

[positron1]

I checked and it is the right pads. I'm still checking on the rotors...maybe I have the wrong rears. Thanks!

[redtop91]

Can you hammer the caliper on? If you can you can drive it for a bit and the excess will be removed. Not the safest nor best solution. And it still is effectively shaving the pads. Interesting predicament.

[positron1]

You know I was going to try that but it would be so tight. I tried spinning the wheel even with it on the way it is and there is just no room.

[homeslicej2]

The pistons look like they are all the way in. I just did my brakes ~4.5 months ago, and I don't recall my pistons going in too much more than that. If you have the correct pads I too believe you must have the wrong size rotors. Just to double check though, try turning your pistons even more. See if they go in anymore at all. Also, put your caliper back on by aligning it straight up and down (parallel to the ground), not at an angle. Still, it's probably the rotor.

[positron1]

When I put it on straight it starts to fit but catches where the bottom pin bolt goes...it like a couple millimeters off or it would fit on. I'm thinking wrong size rotors also.

[redtop91]

Yeppo. What size are they?

[positron1]

I'm looking at the side of the rotor, it says 8mm.

[boznuttz]

I JUST installed a full set of Hawk HPS on a set of slotted and cross drilled rotors. The trick I ALWAYS use when getting the caliper back on: is I usually get a c clamp, use the old brake pad, and clamp the assembly so it pushes the piston all the way in. I then remove the c clamp and brake pad very quickly and slide it on. It works for me 100% of the time. C clamp the piston, or just let the brake fluid out of the lines for the front. I mean, I have only tried on Brembo blanks, stock s13 and s14 rotors, and the Ebay rotors. Are the Brembo rotors much thicker than oem?

[positron1]

Good question. These are definitely 8mm in width. Anyone know what mm the stock size rotor is?

[redtop91]

9.5mm LOL. Those rotors are actually smaller than the stockers. Are you sure those are the right pads.

[positron1]

Results for 1993 NISSAN 240SX:HPS Part: HB262F.540 are the pads that I have.FMSI Reference: D272 Pad Thickness: .540

So if I have even smaller rotors this makes no sense. I'm completely stumped on this one!

[homeslicej2]

Have you checked again to see if your piston can rotate in anymore at all? This odd.

[K]

From the looks of the pic, your pistons are NOT fully depressed. Go to NAPA or AutoZone and buy the little tool to depress them. It's only ~$10. Looks like a little cube.

http://www.toolfetch.com/Categ...203/8

Sure, you can do it with pliers, i have before, but it's much easier with this tool and there's less of a chance of you scoring a piston with this than with pliers.



K
Modified by K at 11:52 AM 4/19/2007

[srpowered240sx]

if your piston can go any further, youre not depressing it deep enough. crack the bleeder screw and depress it more, avoid letting air in the line by keeping constant pressure on the piston. a good method would be reinstall with the old pads, then crack the screw and pry it up until its fully open. then pull apart and put in new pads. good luck.

[positron1]

From the looks of the pic, your pistons are NOT fully depressed. Go to NAPA or AutoZone and buy the little tool to depress them. It's only ~$10. Looks like a little cube.

http://www.toolfetch.com/Categ...203/8

Sure, you can do it with pliers, i have before, but it's much easier with this tool and there's less of a chance of you scoring a piston with this than with pliers.



K

Modified by K at 11:52 AM 4/19/2007

I got the thingamawhozit already.

[K]

Glad to see you have the right tool.

When i did mine (recently) the piston retracted to the point where it was flush with the actual caliper (not just the rubber boot). Of course, my rubber boots are pretty much shot, so maybe that had something to do with it.

K

[redtop91]

While that might be the case my pistons were flush as well.

[schyawn]

loosen your ebrake cable some more.