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Topic: Ok What's The Easy Way???

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (1/15)
3/28/10 8:01pm

tinbender
Former Member
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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.

Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

Here I am after trying to figure out how to change the brake pads.The book says to depress the piston LOL

yea right it acts like the pushme pullyou from Dr Dolittle.So after an hour and being abused Ouch

. I humbly ask dose any know of an easy way to do this.It looks so simple,no problem right ...boy was I wrong. Any Idea's would be greatly appecated.

Thanks Rick

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (2/15)
3/28/10 8:07pm

Ron 78

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

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Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808

just open the bleeder screws a hair,I use a c-clamp to push them back with the bleeder open just enough to get them to go back,put a small block of wood or a piece of metal across both pistons and you can push them both back at once Thumbs Up

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (3/15)
3/28/10 8:08pm

I did that ,but they come back out after I pull the camp out.

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (4/15)
3/28/10 8:22pm

indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.

Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

Take the cover off the master cylinder, this will allow the brake fluid to return and should let you depress the pistons.

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (5/15)
3/28/10 8:29pm

I did that too,acts like there a spring on the cylinders they come back out after I depress the ,and I have the cover off.I did manage to get the outside pad in .But I cann't keep the piston in long enough to get the inside pad on .When I had the four piston setup on my truck once you depress them they stayed in here they are not.

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (6/15)
3/28/10 9:10pm

crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

Vette(s):
black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094

THESE do help in the battle of the pistons, you can push them in and put on the clips and the pistons will stay in enough for the pads to slide on. Also, when you are bleeding the brakes or opening the master cylinder be careful, brake fluid EATS PAINT.

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (7/15)
3/28/10 9:10pm

greypoupon69

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Irving, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.

Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273

Uh Oh, time to find a classic vette mechanic................

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (8/15)
3/28/10 10:23pm

Hi Mick ,It,s not something that I cann't do,it's just being a some_ _ _h LOL. I'll get it tommorrow if the rain stops.Like I said it's not that I cann't do it' presenting a small problem getting it done.For the really complex things I do have a vette guy,and that all he works on.

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (9/15)
3/28/10 10:28pm

Thans for showing me those clips Crossfire1982,I going to check with a local vette shop who also sell some parts and see if they have them.

Rick

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (10/15)
3/28/10 10:38pm

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

I use those clips, they work great! Well worth getting a set.

Dave

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Dave's '82

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (11/15)
3/28/10 10:44pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

The clips are great, but if you don't have a set, here's my trick. Install the pads in the calipers, then slide a 5/8", 1/2" drive socket in between the pads to hold them(spread apart) into the caliper. Slide the caliper down over the rotor, and the socket slides right out. Some folks use the same trick with a chunk of wood cut down to the right size to fit, which will work just as well.
btw...the pistons in the calipers do have springs behind them.

Adams' Apple2010-03-28 19:45:56

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (12/15)
3/29/10 1:04pm

tb2k82ce

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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.

Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

I just did that. It was ease if you use a metal 3 0r 4 inch spackle knife. Maybe it was a 6 inch spackle knife. I'm in Europe for the next week or I would measure the one I used which is in my tool box in San Diego.

I bent it a little where it goes into the handle just to get the handle out of the way and using it you can depress both pistons and slide the pad in. It only took me a 1minute per side after I made it. Took me a couple of hours before I gave up on trying it without making this tool.

Hope it helps the hardest part will be finding a metal spackle knife

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (13/15)
3/29/10 5:37pm

I placed my order today with eckler's for the piston retaining clips.They told me it would take 3days to get here.The weather is suppose to clear up by then so everything worked out.Thanks to all who gave advice.

Rick

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (14/15)
4/1/10 7:44pm

I got the piston clips to and did the brakes WOW! they made the job so easy.I tried an auto bleeder,but I didn't like the feel of the brakes.I took the car to have the brakes bleed(I had no one to help out).Again I want to thank all who gave suggestions Thank You.

Rick

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Ok What's The Easy Way??? (15/15)
4/1/10 8:58pm

Rick, look at the SPEEDBLEEDERS, they are great for one man brake bleeding. They really do work I have them on my car and love them. Crossfire19822010-04-01 17:59:53

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