Steve W Posted December 18, 2001 Share Posted December 18, 2001 This is my first attempt at any mechanical work on my seven so take it easy on me cool.gif After my last trackday I'm now in need of replacing the rear brake disks. I have the removed the old disks but was wondering about the wheel bearings. While I have everything off should I remove the bearings in there casing? Maybe give them a clean and repack with grease? Or is this a waste of time and does not need to be done. Also I understand that you need a special tool to push the pistons back into the callipers to fit the new pads. Is there another way of doing this? As I'm going to bleed the brakes to flush out the old brake fluid I wondered if I could release the bleed nipple and push the calliper back? Would this work? Edited by - steve w on 18 Dec 2001 09:50:55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted December 18, 2001 Share Posted December 18, 2001 The bearings are sealed for life and shouldnt need re-packing, it wont harm them if you want to, but the nuts retaining the driveshafts are ****ing tight and one of them is a left hand thread, the oil/grease seals will also need replacing if you disturb them. The caliper pistons can be retracted without the use of a special tool if you are careful, I have used a 'G' clamp to put light pressure on the pistons while screwing the pistons back in , they retract in a clockwise direction, you can use a large pair of grips to grip the sides of the piston to turn them, just be careful not to damages the caliper dust seals. Oily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Dent Posted December 18, 2001 Share Posted December 18, 2001 The push back tool is available from Halfords at £19 and is good. Pushing the pads back helps when bleeding the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted December 18, 2001 Share Posted December 18, 2001 Releasing the bleed nipple won't help - the pistons have to be wound back into caliper before you refit the caliper/rear pad assembly. Using a pair of circlip pliers makes winding back the pistons easy - you do not need to buy the special tool unless you really want to Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted December 20, 2001 Share Posted December 20, 2001 I found the winding back hard work with pliers / circlip pliers I have a re too whimpy so I made a tool out of a suitably sized old socket by grinding a castelation (well two actually) in it. Works perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted December 21, 2001 Author Share Posted December 21, 2001 Ok thanks for the advice. Think I'll just leave the wheel bearings alone (the less I touch the less chance of messing something up). I'll pick up some new disk's in the new year. I'll have a go a winding the pistons back with some pliers or such like. Merry Xmas Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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