Retract caliper piston

[ralphcap]

I'm replacing the brake disks and pads on the rear wheels of my 1981 Spider 2000 FI. I have been unable to retract the caliper piston to make room for the new pads. I read a few topics and it seem that you screw the piston in a certain direction to retract it. What tool should I use and in what direction should I screw the piston (clockwise or counter clockwise)?

[ventura ace]

If I recall correctly, clockwise turns it in, CCW out. It's easy to find out. Turn it both ways and see what happens. It should only take a turn or two for it to be obvious which direction it is going. If it's really hard to turn, probably time for a rebuild. I've freed them up before (from being hard to turn) by working them in and out and using a little brake fluid for lube, but they always have leaked afterward. At that point, if the metal parts are not pitted or corroded, you can get away with a rebuild.

Alvon

[So Cal Mark]

clockwise, definitely lube the dust boots before trying to turn the piston

[ralphcap]

What tool should I use to turn the piston? I found an old Clymer book that says to "use a screwdriver in the slot in the face of the piston" It's a huge slot.....that will never work. Can I use channel lock or visegrip pliers? What lubricant should I use on the dust boots?

[narfire]

I've used the flat end of a large file.

[tglancy]

I have rebuilt many brank systems including the spiders. The piston needs to turn clockwise to retract. The small slot above the big slot MUST be up/ontop before assememble. You can use a crowbar or something like it to turn it. BUT if they have not been rebuit lately or are hard to turn rebuilt the calipers or buy rebuilt ones other wise you maybe unhappy with the results. There are two (2) types of read calopers, 34 mm the original and 38 mm replacements. Most rebuilt kits are 34 mm. The 38 rebuit kit is availabe from Bruce's.

Terry

[mbouse]

not advocating any vendor over any other. this is just the first picture i found.

http://tools.ntxtools.com/brake-piston-reset-tool--list

[ralphcap]

Thanks a bunch y'all. With the help received on this forum I have made considerable improvements to my '81 FI 2000 Spider. New brakepads and rotors on the rear has made a noticeable improvement to the braking system.

[kmead]

You can also use one of the caliper kits, they sell them at many fine establishments with a variety of adapters to fit Fiats and a wide variety of other cars as well. I bought mine some time ago for not very much.

You can also get it at Harbor Freight a less fine establishment but others carry something simlar:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=40732

A kit like this is much better than the frustration you will enjoy using the square jobby.

[mbouse]

karl, are you going to pete's place on saturday to help with his brakes? i am bringing my "square jobby"... maybe you can show me how to enjoy frustration.

[kmead]

Yes I will be there.I will be happy to demonstrate, the alternative. I used the multi sided square one on my Passat years aga and was not a happy camper.

On a normal caliper I use a pair of vice grips, the welding clamp type: