Brake Replacement Problem

Question

Changing brakes on a 97 Cadillac Eldorado's. Front brakes were a breeze. But I cannot get the piston to retract on either on the rear calipers. Is there something that has to be released from the emergency brake to get the piston to retract? Do I have to release the emergency brake cable? Or could both calipers just be frozen.

Answer 1

Release the tension of the rear emergency brake cable (under the left rear passenger seat) and that will allow you to manually unhook the cables from the rear calipers. This should allow the caliper to open further. If not simply slide on a carpenters bar clamp behind the caliper on the inside and bridge the clamp directly on the outer brake pad. s***w the handle together to force the inner piston inside the caliper to give uourself plenty of room to remove the caliper from the bracket. It's impossible to acertain if you have rear s***w in caliper pistons untill the pads have been removed. Clockwise s***w-in pistons can be viewed if they have two machined undercuts opposite each other on the outer edges of the inner piston. If the undercuts appear you'll need a hardened square bridge tool sold at auto parts stores everywhere.

Answer 2

If it has ABS it could be the ABS module. Takes a special setup to release so the brakes can be bled. Also some GM rear calipers have to rotate to retract and that also requires a tool.

Answer 3

did you loosen the cap on the master cylinder so the fluid back flow can escape?