New Brake Pads Won't Fit...

[EightZero]

Hey guys, I couldn't find anything in a search, but I'm having an issue getting the new brake pads into the caliper. A friend of mine told me to use a couple screwdrivers and pry, something, out so that the caliper will move outwards a little bit. It just doesn't seem to want to fit. How do I do this? I'm just working on the front brakes right now, but time is important, as I only have another hour and a half to work on this.... Help!

[eurotiva]

If you have a c clamp you can use it to squeeze to piston back in.
or some large channel lock pliers. If that doesn't work pm me and i will give you my phone number and try to tlk you thru it. hope that helps

[EightZero]

Well, I've got the piston all the way back, but the caliper seems to be too close to the rotor. Also, there's a TON of space behind the rotor, but barely any in front of it. I've been trying to push the caliper outwards, but it doesn't even budge.

[eurotiva]

Try to take your pins that the caliper slides on out. Then put them in a cordless drill and spin them while holding sandpaper or steel wool against it while it is turning and that will clean it and let the caliper slide properly. Also a little grease will help it from getting funky

[eurotiva]

Frozen pins probably?

[hotfordcat]

Not GREASE!!! It heats up and melts off. Or worst, it burns. Use antiseize!!!

Chuck

[eurotiva]

hotfordcat is right sorry about that

[EightZero]

It's alright guys. Luckily my girlfriend has been able to con one of our more mechanically inclined friends and he's going to work on it tomorrow. I was really hoping on getting it done tonight, or earlier today, but it happens. At least the person who's borrowing the car still has a rental car to drive.

Oh, and the reason why I only had an hour and a half is because the person borrowing the Festy is leaving at 7:30(or earlier). Thanks for all of your help guys, and I'll post what happens when we figure it out!

[EightZero]

Well, we took another look at it yesterday evening and, with a little help with a piece of wood and a hammer, we got things to move a bit. We also tried to spray those pins with WD40, but those rubber bits on the end wouldn't come off. Are they supposed to?

Either way, the one pin was completely seized and would only barely budge when we doused it with a bunch of the good stuff and some percussive maintenance. It was enough to get the new pads on, so it will do, for now. The starter died during the weekend too, and since the local scrapyard only had 1 Festiva, for some reason, the starter was already gone. SOL. So, we have the starter getting rebuilt as we speak, and we'll take a look at the junkyard, unless we can pull that pin out...

And I can add pictures, if somebody wants visual info.

[j-stauf7]

If at all possible get those slide pins moveing freely, if you put it together with the stuck pin you will get uneven pad wear and will be replaceing pads again to soon.

[EightZero]

Yeah, I know, but we didn't have any time to deal with it at the moment. At least it's not going anywhere. Not to mention the plates expired over the weekend too... lol