I'm trying to change the front brakes on my car and I can't get the caliper to open

Tiny
TERRELLB40
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK ELECTRA
  • 150,000 MILES
The caliper is too tight and I can't get them to open any further. My first c-clamp broke on me so, I've had to go buy another c-clamp already bcuz the caliper is so tight. What am I doing wrong? My next option is to drain the fluid, but I know I shouldn't have to do that. What can I do differently?
Saturday, September 28th, 2013 AT 4:05 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The caliper is probably frozen so open the bleeder screw and see if it willopen further. You probably need anew caliper anyhow if so replace both of them.
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Saturday, September 28th, 2013 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Clamp off the brake hose, you can get a special clamp for this, they are not expensive, and remove the bleeder, this way you will only loose the fluid in the calliper, a minor brake bleed at the brake will be required, if the piston will not retract, it will be seized and the calliper will have to be overhauled.
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Saturday, September 28th, 2013 AT 4:31 PM

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