Rear calipers are threaded and have to be "screwed" (because parking brake uses rear calipers) Tool available at Sears or auto parts--not expensive Get a 4 inch C clamp, put the old brake shoe back in place on the piston side and screw down the C clamp. This should do it. If not open the bleeder on this caliper & it will then go in. Be sure to Bleed The Brakes on the rear after this. cartalk says: Nix on the C clamp, as the Piston needs to be turned to go back in(self-adjuster) clamping will destroy parts... good luck dave Answer (12/19/08) Dave is right on... I just changed my rear brake pads on my '04 Grand Prix. The caliper piston face has a pattern on it that lines up with a "pin" on the back side brake pad. I bought a tool for $15 from O'Reilly AutoParts that is a "universal" tool that has he "pin" pattern to fit several car makes & models. The piston turned back into the caliper VERY easily. Just be sure to line up the piston face like it was when you first started so it will line up with the back side brake pad "pin". Mike
You can use a large C-Clamp to compress the caliper piston.
with a c clamp. put a block of wood or your old pad over the piston and tighten with clamp.
If the emergency brake is not connected to the caliper use a "c" Clamp If the emergency brake is connected to that caliper a special tool (not expensive available at Sears or auto parts) is needed Caliper is threaded. Turn Clockwise to compress
If the emergency brake is not connected to the caliper use a "c" Clamp If the emergency brake is connected to that caliper a special tool (not expensive available at Sears or auto parts) is needed Caliper is threaded. Turn Clockwise to compress
C or G clamps.
You will need a caliper rewinding tool
If it is the front brake use a "C" clamp to retract piston If it is the rear and the parking brake is used by this caliper piston is threaded and a special tool (not expensive) available at Sears or auto parts to "screw" piston into caliper body
It requires a special tool to turn and compress the piston in at the same time.
AnswerThere is not enough information in your question. A cylinder piston you do not compress, you compress the rings in the piston. There are pistons in the brake system. There is no way of knowing the problem without being more specific.I'm assuming you mean the caliper piston. If it can't be compressed, replace the caliper.
there is a special tool that can be purchased at any auto parts store made specifically for compressing brake caliper pistons. I personally use a 4 inch c-clamp. works every time.
there is a special tool that can be purchased at any auto parts store made specifically for compressing brake caliper pistons. I personally use a 4 inch c-clamp. works every time.
Use a "c" clamp to fully compress piston into caliper body