trying to get my rear wheel back on

[iv76erson03]

I just put a new tire on my rear wheel and i can't get the wheel back on. The rear brakes are clamped down too far to get the rotor in between them. Do i just pry the brake pads apart with a screwdriver or something? Any ideas?

[Bluehaze]

outched.. you pressed the brake with the rotor out. i think that you need to actually disassemble the rear brake to push the pistons back in.

[gsJack]

If the caliper is not leaking you can just push the pistons back in.  Push a large screwdriver in between the pads and twist it to push the pistons back.  It's much easier to put the wheel back on if you remove the brake caliper, just remove the 2 bolts that hold it to the bracket and the one bolt at the caliper end of the torque brace.  Don't remove the brake hose or you'll have to bleed.

[ohgood]

If the caliper is not leaking you can just push the pistons back in.  Push a large screwdriver in between the pads and twist it to push the pistons back.  It's much easier to put the wheel back on if you remove the brake caliper, just remove the 2 bolts that hold it to the bracket and the one bolt at the caliper end of the torque brace.  Don't remove the brake hose or you'll have to bleed.

+1

laying the caliper on the swing arm, push in two fat flat-head screwdrivers from either end between the pads. push down with each of them at the same time, and the piston will recede easily. just one screwdriver is combersome/clumsy - or may it's just me

[erbilabuc]

another option (much easier in my book) is to use a c-clamp instead of a screw driver. Just make sure when you are doing either of that you loosen the resevoir cap so no pressure builds up in it. When you are done, just tighten cap back down