I am in the middle of changing the rear brake pads on my 98 Grand Prix. I've never done this before but viewed an online how to video. I can't get the caliper off. I've taken off the bolts just fine so it should now be free. I can move it an inch each way around the rotor. But just not out and off the rotor. I can't see inside very well. Does the little metal clamp that squeaks when your pads get thin need to be removed first? There is quite a bit of rust on the edge of the rotors. Can I just hit the caliper lightly with a rubber mallet?Changing brake pads?if you have the pins out and can move it just hit it with a hammer and knock it the rest of the way.. but let me ask did you try pushing back the pinton with a big screwdriver first ... and you can use a real hammer you can beat the crap out of them things.... if yo ucan move it some i bet if you was to pry it back some with a screwdrive it would fall offChanging brake pads?You might try releasing your emergency brakes and then trying to remove the calipers.
Yes you can tap on your calipers. Just strike them on the ends aways from any bolt holes or anything else fragile.Changing brake pads?Try taking the cap off the brake fluid reservoir to allow the pads to spread further but make sure you surround it with rags in case it overflows. Buy some brake fluid in case you need to replace some. Double check to make sure there is not a pin or bolt you missed. Autozone.com has online repair guides for free if you register. No you should not have to remove the squeaker but it might help to bend it out of the way or remove it. Yes it is OK to use rubber mallet but you should not have to.Changing brake pads?Heres what's going on:
The brake pads wear away, and also wear the rotor away. As the rotor gets thinner the caliper pushes more and more in. Sometimes if you let the brakes go too long it also starts to wear grooves into the pads and rotors. These parts all wear together in a pattern. you need to get the caliper to open up some more. You can use all kinds of things to do this. You can use a sturdy flathead screw driver to pry between the caliper piston and the back of the brake pad that touches the piston, you can use a %26quot;c%26quot; clamp. All kinds of ways. But you need to get that caliper to open up. YOu need to get that caliper piston to go in a little so that you can get the assembly to come off...its hanging on by the pattern its worn into the pads/rotor. Like the dude said, you can take off the resevoir cap, make sure your emergency brake is off, etc.
