HELP My disk brakes are killing me - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

griesel72 · 06-09-2009, 02:37 PM

Is there any easy way to get the piston on the front brakes of my K10 to depress easily? I tried pushing with my hands, a pair of vise grips and a c clamp, and i can't get it in far enough to get the new pads on. Is there something i'm missing? Could it be stuck?

thanks
David

Robert8096 · 06-09-2009, 02:54 PM

If the piston is at the edge of the caliper bore you may have the wrong pads. When I did a set on a 79 c-10 the brake hoses were swollen inside and not allowing the fluid to return to the master cylinder. The piston could also be frozen in the caliper bore.

If you crack the bleeder screw and the piston compress then that is a good sign the hoses are shot and if that is the case then go ahead and replace the calipers also because the hose particles will cause the piston to freeze in the bore sooner or later.

Good Luck

70rs/ss · 06-09-2009, 05:20 PM

A rebuilt caliper is like $20 from the parts store, get those and some new hoses, that way your brake system is good to go. The piston should compress pretty easily if not the bore could be gunked up or worse have a groove or knich in it, so like I said a rebuilt caliper and away you go.

69GMCLonghorn · 06-09-2009, 05:25 PM

There is a simple tool that you can get at Sear's or wherever tools are sold that is used for compressing the piston(s) in brake calipers. It's a pain to do by hand or by Micky Mousing. Pick one up; it'll be money well spent (not much though, they're pretty cheap).

cparman · 06-09-2009, 05:40 PM

with a C clamp on the caliper piston, and the bleeder screw open, you should be able to compress the caliper easily. If not, the caliper is bad. If it does compress the hose could be bad. The calipers and hoses are cheap, and why would you not want to stop safely? Take your time, and diagnose the problem, and THEN put new stuff on your truck. Going fast is fun, but stopping, is just the best!

70rs/ss · 06-09-2009, 05:39 PM

If a C-clap won't collapse it there is a problem, there isn't supposed to be any resistance to the fluid returning to the resevoir.

d10s69c10 · 06-09-2009, 05:46 PM

As stated new (well rebuilt) calipers are the easiest way to go if you have $60.

sjarrett71 · 06-09-2009, 08:14 PM

Don't know if it matters much but is the cap off the reservoir to allow the fluid to flow back into it without pressure buildup?

06-09-2009, 02:37 PM	#1
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	HELP My disk brakes are killing me Is there any easy way to get the piston on the front brakes of my K10 to depress easily? I tried pushing with my hands, a pair of vise grips and a c clamp, and i can't get it in far enough to get the new pads on. Is there something i'm missing? Could it be stuck? thanks David __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

06-09-2009, 02:54 PM	#2
Robert8096 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Goose Creek SC Posts: 161	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me If the piston is at the edge of the caliper bore you may have the wrong pads. When I did a set on a 79 c-10 the brake hoses were swollen inside and not allowing the fluid to return to the master cylinder. The piston could also be frozen in the caliper bore. If you crack the bleeder screw and the piston compress then that is a good sign the hoses are shot and if that is the case then go ahead and replace the calipers also because the hose particles will cause the piston to freeze in the bore sooner or later. Good Luck

06-09-2009, 05:20 PM	#3
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me A rebuilt caliper is like $20 from the parts store, get those and some new hoses, that way your brake system is good to go. The piston should compress pretty easily if not the bore could be gunked up or worse have a groove or knich in it, so like I said a rebuilt caliper and away you go.

06-09-2009, 05:25 PM	#4
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me There is a simple tool that you can get at Sear's or wherever tools are sold that is used for compressing the piston(s) in brake calipers. It's a pain to do by hand or by Micky Mousing. Pick one up; it'll be money well spent (not much though, they're pretty cheap).

06-09-2009, 05:40 PM	#5
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me with a C clamp on the caliper piston, and the bleeder screw open, you should be able to compress the caliper easily. If not, the caliper is bad. If it does compress the hose could be bad. The calipers and hoses are cheap, and why would you not want to stop safely? Take your time, and diagnose the problem, and THEN put new stuff on your truck. Going fast is fun, but stopping, is just the best!

06-09-2009, 05:39 PM	#6
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me If a C-clap won't collapse it there is a problem, there isn't supposed to be any resistance to the fluid returning to the resevoir.

06-09-2009, 05:46 PM	#7
d10s69c10 Built 4 Speed Join Date: May 2008 Location: Geneva FL Posts: 619	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me As stated new (well rebuilt) calipers are the easiest way to go if you have $60. __________________ 1969 C/10 Short Box: 496/T-56 in worx. "To Be Old And Wise, First You Must Be Young And Stupid"

06-09-2009, 08:14 PM	#8
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: HELP My disk brakes are killing me Don't know if it matters much but is the cap off the reservoir to allow the fluid to flow back into it without pressure buildup? __________________ -Scott-

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