maybe a stupid question,,brake pads

[scotts pearl]

I am replacing frt brakes pads on my 78.. My question is this..

Do i have to remove the master cyl cap to depress caliper piston and can the brakes be replaced without removing the caliper?

Looks very simple.. Pull pins and anti rattle clips?

[sblake01]

The calipers don't have to be removed.

[scotts pearl]

thanks blake... how do you depress the calipers for the new pads.. with out calipers off?

no way to use c clamp?

[sblake01]

I use an old wood chisel with a piece of rubber on it to prevent damage to the rotor and work it back and forth until the piston is pushed in but I'm sure there's an actual tool available for that.

[scotts pearl]

thanks a million blake... will give it a try

[coolc]

Don't pry on the pads. Use a channellock pliers to squeeze the ears of the pads against the body of the caliper, from one side a little and then the other, AFTER making sure the bleeder screw is open slightly to force out fluid from it, and NOT push bad fluid back thru the sys.

I would put some PB Blaster around the threads of the bleeder screw a few days ahead to help loosen it, too.

[sblake01]

Don't pry on the pads. Use a channellock pliers to squeeze the ears of the pads against the body of the caliper, from one side a little and then the other, AFTER making sure the bleeder screw is open slightly to force out fluid from it, and NOT push bad fluid back thru the sys.

I would put some PB Blaster around the threads of the bleeder screw a few days ahead to help loosen it, too.

Is that directed to me? If so, I wasn't suggesting prying on the pads. The pads are already out at the point I use that tool.

[scotts pearl]

just wanted to let yall know i had to remove the calipers to press pistons back.. i "did" pry on the pads and it seem to have put the pistons in a bind..

pistons would not go back until i used a c clamp... .. i think i may have mis understood blake.. thank you both for your help..

[sblake01]

No problem. coolc has two posts on this site and both of them seem to be telling me how to work on cars, use tools, etc. How did I ever get along for the past 45+ years of working on cars without him?