2001 a4 1.8L quatro - Today i went to change my rear brake pads because they were making a constant grinding noise. I took out the two bolts that hold the caliper on, the brake pads had very little life left in them. when i tried to compess the piston with the brake tool it wouldnt budge. i grabbed channel locks and got it turning. in the long run it ended up cross threading the brake tool. i got the piston to move somewhat but still need another half inch to fit over the new pads. Should i just conclude i need a new caliper setup? The e-brake was off and i opened the resevoir for fluid. Im baffled. please help.

 

The piston needs to be turned while compressing it. They make a special tool to do it, but I've also been able to do it with a pair of needel nose pliers.

 

oh Fck me. Thanks man.

 

becareful one of mine wouldnt retract even when turning under compression, ended up replacing with new as fluid started to leak out the piston

 

one of the spring rods where you take the two bolts out of on the caliper...wasnt springing. i kinda had to beat the caliper back on after replacing brake pads. The brake pad is constanlty rubbing agianst the rotor. will it wear down and will i get away with it? or will all hell break loose?

 

did you take the caliper to bits and clean up and grease the rods , your pad shouldnt be constantly rubbing , youll end up burning out the bad and cooking your brakes mate

 

Yea if your brake pads are constantly rubbing your pads will be shot in days and your rotor will be garbage. Sounds like you destroyed the caliper when trying to compress it without turning at the same time. I did the same thing when I changed my A4's brakes for the first time.

Buy a new caliper, and inspect the rotor because chances are that it is messed up with the pads rubbing constantly. Then go rent or borrow the brake tool from an Autozone and put the parts on.

You probably have a bad brake burning smell coming from behind your wheels too right now.

 

Rent or buy the correct tool. Then take it back off and turn the caliper piston out alittle. Crack the bleeder a little and turn the piston back in. When it's in all the way close the bleeder. Put it back together, then pump the brakes a few times. Should be good.

 

I got the right tool, the caliper is and the piston is ok. It is the outer most pad that is rubbing, and the bottom spring bolt that is stuck in the all the way out position. (with most showing). thats why i asked if ill get away with it, because if that wears down then the caliper will be stress free. either way i know its a bad situation. How do i know if the rotor is garbage? i didnt want to start ****** with the spring piston cuz looks a bit shotty and if it breaks off right now i dont have the loot to start buying new setups and what not. but thank you all for the help