HELP: Can't put the front caliper back on

banner · August 28, 2006, 03:26:42 PM

Okay i went ahead and did the valve job and fork seals yesterday and today. All in all pretty easy and straightforward. The only problem i'm having is i can't put the front calipers back on. I made the mistake of squeezing the break lever earlier and they're closed real good. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance guys

ducati_nolan · August 28, 2006, 04:44:13 PM

you can probally bush the pistons back in by hand, if not use a C clamp or two and go really slow. if that still dosen't work (it should) open the bleeder. if you open the bleeder just be carefull not to get brake fluid on the pads (if you do, clean them with brake cleaner right away) and you'll probally need to bleed the brake.

makenzie71 · August 28, 2006, 04:46:25 PM

Put a screw driver between the pads and twist.

banner · August 28, 2006, 05:00:11 PM

Screw driver won't work...

I just left the whole deal sitting right now. You guys think the pressure will release by itself?

makenzie71 · August 28, 2006, 05:02:24 PM

yeah probably leave it over night. Other wise you're best bet is to crack the bleeder and then do the screw driver thing...

werase643 · August 28, 2006, 05:38:14 PM

remove wheel
bolt caliper on
screwdriver or something else to wedge the pads out....
remove caliper
reinstall wheel
reinstall caliper

i have never cracked the bleed screw to get pads in....but it could be time to flush the front brake fluid and bleed it.....have you replaced your brake fluid in the last two yrs?

?
is it brown or gold.....hint, brown is a bad color.....

annguyen1981 · August 28, 2006, 05:49:24 PM

According to my Clymer, you have to dissassemble the caliper.

I'm not getting up to get my Clymer, so hopefully someone else has theirs handy.

werase643 · August 28, 2006, 05:54:20 PM

photografic memory.....but not positive?

?

ducati_nolan · August 28, 2006, 06:17:54 PM

try the C clamps, that's what I did and it was cake. You can squeeze from the back of the inside pad, so you don't even need to worry about dammaging the friction material. Just go slow and it shouldnt need much pressure. If it takes a lot of pressure then your pistons may be tweaked and stuck.

Leon78 · August 28, 2006, 06:51:25 PM

Clymer dose say to take caliper apart and then bleed it, but i just pushed the cylenders back by hand. then when assembaled gave the brakes a few good squezzings. I belive clymer also says get a pice of rubber or wood to put bettwen the pad when of the bike. Me, I would rather forget and do it the hard way.

JamesG · August 28, 2006, 07:40:25 PM

Don't forget to take this unforseen opportunity to clean the exposed caliper pistons with some brake cleaner.

FearedGS500 · August 28, 2006, 08:09:54 PM

if it where me ( worked at a car dealer and did brake jobs pretty often ) shold be no diffrent then a car . take the pad out . and get somting to put up to the piston and press it back in ( i had a brake tool so that helped

. but take like a pair of vice gribs a 1x2 and a rang so you dont mess up your caiper and go at it .. should go right backing)

banner · August 28, 2006, 08:52:01 PM

Okay guys..appreciate it.

I"m going to let it sit overnight and see what happens for now. If by tommorow its a no go i'm going to first try it with a flat head screwdriver. I'll take it up so it doesn't mess up the brake material. All in all i'm really pleased though...i just saved myself 500 bucks (valves, fuel lines, spark plugs, and fork seals). If anybody in san diego, Los angeles needs help with their valves or fork seals give me a holler...i'm more than willing to help.

Anyway i think i'm going to try what werase said first. I'll take apart the wheel, install the calipers, pry they looser and then install the front wheel again. I think my initial problem was it (the caliper) wouldn't fit into where it was supposed to go.

All in great help you guys. Thanks!

annguyen1981 · August 28, 2006, 08:54:54 PM

Quote from: banner on August 28, 2006, 08:52:01 PM
Okay guys..appreciate it.

I"m going to let it sit overnight and see what happens for now. If by tommorow its a no go i'm going to first try it with a flat head screwdriver. I'll take it up so it doesn't mess up the brake material. All in all i'm really pleased though...i just saved myself 500 bucks (valves, fuel lines, spark plugs, and fork seals). If anybody in san diego, Los angeles needs help with their valves or fork seals give me a holler...i'm more than willing to help.

Anyway i think i'm going to try what werase said first. I'll take apart the wheel, install the calipers, pry they looser and then install the front wheel again. I think my initial problem was it (the caliper) wouldn't fit into where it was supposed to go.

All in great help you guys. Thanks!

Just don't have banner do your brakes.

j/k

banner · August 28, 2006, 08:59:33 PM

yeah and don't let annugyun wax your chains

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=29836.0

j/k

annguyen1981 · August 28, 2006, 09:00:58 PM

Is that what that is?!?!?

I gotta check that the next time I lube my chain. That's probably just the extra stuff dripping off.

Thankz man!

banner · August 28, 2006, 09:02:18 PM

okay...the fluid is fine its a golden brown color. The previous owner installed stainless steel lines so its good to go.

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HELP: Can't put the front caliper back on