HELP!!! Brake issues...
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AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 320
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HELP!!! Brake issues...
Ok, first let me issue another "I'm a Green Rookie Newb and I don't know what I'm talking about" disclaimer and then I'll proceed. Brake pads came in today (went with EBC Greenstuff) and...well...held the flashlight fir a buddy that is installing them for me. I WATCHED REALLY CLOSE THOUGH!! I gotta learn this stuff. Anyway, the right rear went on fine which was the wicked bad side. Went to the left side, took off the wheel, unhooked the caliper, took out the old pads, and began to "thread in" the piston. Well, after threading, and threading, and threading, no progress was being made. The piston would turn but not thread back into...wherever it goes (on a sidenote, is there a tool available for "the public" that will fit into those two notches on the piston instead of having to labor with needle nose pliers?). He said something about needing a new caliper or having this one rebuilt. Suggestions quotes or comments?! My buddy is taking a day off from work on Thursday and offered to complete the job if I can get the parts sorted out by then. HELP PLEASE!!
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,732
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this kinda thing happens all the time.
<center><img src="http://store1.yimg.com/I/autotoolexpress_1812_17140069"></center><p>
the first thing you need is the right tools for the job. once the calaper starts sticking it can be very hard to get the piston to retract. the link below is show a tool that will make brake jobs a piece of cake. I dont think you need a new caliper but its possible. you can try using a "cube" tool which is much cheaper but not much better then using pliers.
another option is to use the pepboys or auto zone style front calaper tool and use that to put pressure on "the cube" then use channel locks to turn the cube and retract the piston. I've done this many times and it works great.
if you plan on doing this type of work in the future get one of these tools. sears and napa should have them. pepboys auto zone may only have the cube as seen above.<ul><li><a href="http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Rear-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Kit---NM5311.HTML">http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Rear-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Kit---NM5311.HTML</a</li></ul>
the first thing you need is the right tools for the job. once the calaper starts sticking it can be very hard to get the piston to retract. the link below is show a tool that will make brake jobs a piece of cake. I dont think you need a new caliper but its possible. you can try using a "cube" tool which is much cheaper but not much better then using pliers.
another option is to use the pepboys or auto zone style front calaper tool and use that to put pressure on "the cube" then use channel locks to turn the cube and retract the piston. I've done this many times and it works great.
if you plan on doing this type of work in the future get one of these tools. sears and napa should have them. pepboys auto zone may only have the cube as seen above.<ul><li><a href="http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Rear-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Kit---NM5311.HTML">http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Rear-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Kit---NM5311.HTML</a</li></ul>
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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ECS has what you need too. $44.95
Scroll about 1/3 of the way down<ul><li><a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=V6%2012v& ;model=B5%20A4&submodel=Quattro&category=B raking">Here</a></li></ul>
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2001
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I have always just used a giant C-Clamp. it works perfectly
I've done probably 8 sets of rear pads that way. much cheaper since there are numerous c-clamps laying around my garage rather than having to find another tool
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 544
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Ran into the same problem a couple weeks ago...
You will need the rear brake piston tool. Once I got that tool, it was a piece of cake. Trust me, I wish I could've had 2 hours of my time back trying to use that cube tool. What a piece of ****.
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AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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Harbor Freight still sells it
I was going to buy the tool from Harbor Freight but I found it on Ebay for less than half what they wanted.
Works like a charm.<ul><li><a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40732">Harbor Freight tool</a></li></ul>
Works like a charm.<ul><li><a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40732">Harbor Freight tool</a></li></ul>