Using c-clamp on brakes...

[c@mry]

Ok, I have a haynes manual and I have read several threads about doing a brake job. My car is a 99 camry 4cyl auto. I need to inspect my brakes and most likely replace the pads. I noticed in both threads and the haynes manual it says to use a c-clamp to depress the piston into its bore.

1. Having never done this before (or much auto work), can someone post a pic of where I place the c-clamp?

2. Do I use the c-clamp to take the caliper off and put it back on or when?


3. Once I engage the clamp and depress the piston, can I remove the clamp or does it have to stay on until I put the caliper back on?

3. I read somethig about abs brakes and fluid pressure. I can't find the thread, but it said something about removing a cap to decrease pressure. Is this necessary? If so, what cap?

Thx

One more thing, I have 62000 miles. Should I replace my rotors?

[CCCP]

looks like you need to read some more on brakes.

First of all you should take of the cap from brake fluid reservoir, because when u will be pushing piston back fluid comes to it's original position in reservoir.

I used c-clamp when i took caliper off to push the piston back to the original position, i don't know if that's the rite way of doing it. But always worked for me.

Yes at 63k 99% that u will need to machine your rotors, if it was never done before.

[rusty9]

you use the c clamp to push the piston back into the caliper...however its much easier to use one of these tools, they are like 10 bucks and will save you some time.



also, try using the damn search button. brakes have been covered 538457345 times.

[Mike Gerber]

As the others have said, you just use the c-clamp to push the piston all the way back in to the caliper. As the pads wear, the caliper piston has to come out further to make the pads contact the rotors. The new pads will be much thicker and the piston must be pushed all the way back in to allow the new pads to clear the rotors when you reinstall the calipers. If you use the c-clamp, put one of the old pads between the piston and the clamp to help apply even pressure to the piston. Also, do one side at a time to avoid popping out the other side's piston from it's caliper. If that pops out of the piston, you will have to reinstall it and then bleed that caliper. If a c-clamp is not available, a pair of channel locks will work nicely. That's what most professional techs use.

Mike