Hey folks- Halfway into a brake job on my 89 240 wagon, how do you folks squeeze the pistons in on the rear calipers? With other vehicles (with rubber lines off the caliper) I could usually use a big C clamp. There are (as you all probably know) these big @#*!@ wings off the back of the caliper that must have been put on there for some reason, they really get in the way. Are there any "secret" techniques / special tools for compressing these pistons? Thanks! Dave

 

You can use a large pair of channel locks to squeeze the piston, or a pry bar (large screwdriver). In the latter, I leave the pads in the caliper to give it surface where to apply the leverage. Also, opening the bleed valve would make it easier to compress the piston.

 

Thats what I just did. I put a screwdriver on the rim of the piston and it went down easily. I could not believe it... The easiest brake job I have ever done.

 

+1
using the old rotor & pad, just stick a big, flat-head screw driver in there and pry the piston back in. Super easy.

Nick

 

well, looks like a nice forum glitch ended up here.

Nick

 

the "wings" that you speak of there Dave are actually what volvos are famous for...if you imagine a huge rear-end collision that plate behind the caliper will slam forward and hit the caliper which then hits the axle which carries the force to the frame...hince why you cant kill a volvo from behind...or any way for that matter. lol

 

Thanks for all the helpful tips! I knew there was some important reason for those BF blocks back there. I'll make sure they are tight if I ever enter her in Demo Derby! I have loosened the mounting bolts and extracted the pads. The caliper is hanging from a wire. Guess I'll putit back together and do some prying with the big screwdriver. (between the disc and the 1/16" pads!!). Thanks again!! Dave

 

i always wondered what the hell those were for. You can take them off if they are getting in the way they are just bolted on to the caliper with one bolt. Then you could work easier and just put them back on when you're done. I always just use a big screwdriver or a prybar with the old pads still in to squeeze them in.

 

Well I think I'm doing a COMPLETE brake job- Discs warped, (new front discs) front pistons wont retract, one of them rusted in place (new front calipers) and tonight I've discovered the rear pistons wont budge either. Looks like new rear calipers too. Heck maybe I'll put a couple of rear discs on too as long as I'm in there. Brake pads in rear REALLY thin. (new rear pads) Well at least I'm not payin Midas to do this...Jeeze, you'd think this thing was 18 years old. Oh yeah, it is. Dave

 

open the bleeder and push the piston back.

Nick