How to Retract Rear Caliper Piston? - Honda-Acura.net

cincy cd · 10-04-07, 12:27 AM

Replacing rear brakes and rotors on 97 TL 2.5 L: How does one get the piston in the rear calipers to retract so that there is enough clearance to fit the caliper assembly over the new rotor and brakes? I tried to push the brake piston back into the caliper (using a c clamp, then a mod reversing a steering wheel puller into a pusher!) with absolutely no luck...it would not budge. Opening the bleed valve and applying (a great deal) of force to the piston did no good either, there is something preventing the backflow of fluid in the brake line. Looking at the service manual i did not find any help. Thanks in advance. cd

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**AcuraTL** · 10-04-07, 11:05 AM

If you cannot retract it with a c-clamp with the bleeder valve open, then you might have a busted piston. Does any fluid come out when you open the bleeder valve? Are both of the pistons not retracting?

tweed · 10-07-07, 01:49 PM

You will need a disc brake piston tool in order to retract the rear piston. Go to any parts store and you should be able to pick one up.

Chiovnidca · 10-07-07, 02:15 PM

They screw in. Turn em clockwise, a large screwdriver works good.

shawnhu · 10-09-07, 02:59 PM

Yes, they screw in clockwise, thus the slots on the piston. If you have used an extreme amount of force on the piston with the C-Clamp, or a press, it may be too late for that caliper. A file, large screw-driver, or something of that sort works well.

Here's a tip with a large screw-driver: Place it so that you're using it as a pry-bar, instead of a screw-driver.

10-04-07, 11:05 AM	#2
AcuraTL Lord Vader Moderator Join Date: May 1999 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,460	If you cannot retract it with a c-clamp with the bleeder valve open, then you might have a busted piston. Does any fluid come out when you open the bleeder valve? Are both of the pistons not retracting? __________________ Honda-Acura.net Vigor/TL/CL Forum Moderator. Comptech Icebox, Headers, Exhaust, Lowering Springs and Sway Bars. Mugen front grille. Inspire tailamps. MOMO Sport 18 X 7.5 +42 offset. Axxis Metal Master front/rear pad. 2 Polk/MOMO 10" subs, Orion Xtreme 500.4 amplifier and Alpine CD changer.

10-07-07, 02:15 PM	#4
Chiovnidca SOHC Powered Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 96	They screw in. Turn em clockwise, a large screwdriver works good. __________________ 1991 Civic, D16Z6, 11.0@137 My project car, lots of pics.

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10-07-07, 01:49 PM	#3
tweed Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10	You will need a disc brake piston tool in order to retract the rear piston. Go to any parts store and you should be able to pick one up.

10-09-07, 02:59 PM	#5
shawnhu Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 42	Yes, they screw in clockwise, thus the slots on the piston. If you have used an extreme amount of force on the piston with the C-Clamp, or a press, it may be too late for that caliper. A file, large screw-driver, or something of that sort works well. Here's a tip with a large screw-driver: Place it so that you're using it as a pry-bar, instead of a screw-driver.