Rear caliper pistons won't push in - alignment ?

Newbie Joined: Apr 28, 2003 Posts: 4 Location: UK

1988 100 Avant.

Rear caliper pistons. I am having trouble pushing them back into the caliper body. I seem to recall you need to align the piston to push back past the handbrake mechanism auto-adjust.

Or should I just push harder :}

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Mike

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:19 pm

Not sure if this applies to a car of your year, but I suspect it does. Anyway, on the 93 A80, and the Passat of a similar age, the pistons in the rear calipers have to be screwed back, not just pushed.

The Haynes book says it can be done with circlip pliers, but I have never known that to work as it is all too heavy-duty.

Instead, you may need to obtain the special tool that has 2 ears which locate into the cut-outs in the pistons. Alternativly, you could make one from an old box spanner if you have access to a suitable grinder.

When you are turning the pistons you will need to push them as well, at least at the begining of the operation, so as to get the threads started.

Be careful not to tear the rubber seal around the piston as you do so.

Good luck.

Lee

Newbie Joined: Apr 28, 2003 Posts: 4 Location: UK

Thanks Lee.

It sounds like it might be a 'screw-in' as you suggest since I have 2 ear-holes which look like they want a special tool.

What I was remembering was another 100 I had, which I had thought was an 'alignment and push'.

I did try one turn screw in, but it didn't look like it was doing much, and there is danger of tearing the seals. Now that I have your input, I'll try screwing some.

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Mike

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 10:12 pm

You can get a suitable Sykes Pickavant tool from Halfords. Not too dear I seem to recall

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

Be careful with the Sykes Pickavant tool. Mine got jammed in a caliper and I was unable to remove it. New caliper required and a hose and a pipe...

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2003 10:34 pm

I was going to buy one of those too! So much for the suitable for all audi's on the box !!!

Audi Nut Joined: May 12, 2003 Posts: 63 Location: UK

The Sykes tool can and does get jammed, but Sealey do a kit for around £45 (that will do just abotu every car) that has a hex for a spanner, so no jamming problems with this one.

Newbie Joined: Nov 03, 2003 Posts: 1 Location: UK

I got a 'Franklin' tool from my local Motor factor - it cost £22 and is considerably easier than using big pliers..

You could get it online from http://franklin-tools.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_BRAKES_6.html

(TA891 Brake Caliper Wind-back Tool)