7mm use a woodwork type g clamp to carefully wind the pistons back, make sure that the master cylinder does not overflow.
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20 years ago
7mm use a woodwork type g clamp to carefully wind the pistons back, make sure that the master cylinder does not overflow.
Hi, thanks for reading,
I want to change front brake pads tomorrow. Cos i am skint I need to find out what size hex key wrench I need so I can remove the caliper retaining pins. I shouldn't anything else should I ? or maybe an open ended spanner for the retaining pins ? if so what size.
The vehicle is 1989 1.8i audi 80e.
Are there any tips on getting the piston pushed back easily, so i can get the new pads in?
Thanks very much again.
Maatt
thanks very much comrade MrCheerful!
& it's a lot easier with a socket mounted allen bit than an allen key.
You may not shift them with an ordinary allan key. If you've got a socket set, get one to fit that - Halfords sell them individually. It's 7mm.
Or Eurocarparts sell a special longer version.
That's twice in the last couple of days I've seen advice to push back pistons, resulting in fluid refilling the reservior, something I admit I've always done without any problems !
However I had become thoughtful about the process after reading here that there was a risk to the seals, and that the excess fluid should be allowed out of the bleed nipple. So what's the truth ?
Andy Pandy To e-mail, address hopefully, self-explanatory !
Well opening the nipple gets that nasty coloured fluid out the caliper.
Well, if the master cylinder is in the rest position, the fluid doesn't have to pass any seals. I think it refers to the ABS unit. But if there was a problem, it would have warning signs on it or the handbook, etc.
It's certainly a good time to do a fluid change if it hasn't had one as a routine during servicing. But these things always seem to get out of sync.
The factory recommendation is to let the fluid out at the caliper, however, most people seem to have difficulty with bleed nipples, so I usually say to push the fluid back. Also there is less risk of air getting in by pushing the fluid back to the master cylinder
MrCheerful
The trusty Haynes book for my VW Passat (same car ??) says you should open the nipple and let it out there !!!!!
Steve
So does the Rover workshop manual I have for the 200, but having done it for so long now, I wondered if the warnings were overdone. It is so much easier, just to allow the fluid to flow back, and as the real mechanics amongst us seem to use the method, I think I will continue.
Andy Pandy To e-mail, address hopefully, self-explanatory !
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