I'm going to be replacing my front brake discs on Friday (my 1st time) but I noticed when I last removed my wheels that the pads seem to be "biting" the discs. What's the best way to release the "bite" on the discs so that i can pull the calipers away in order to get the old discs off the car?

One other thing, do the caliper pistons need to be serviced/re-lubricated or anything?

Thanks for any advice.
Mark

 

OK, do I take it this is a very stupid question then?

 

You could take the cap off the brake fluid resevoir and then push the pads back towards the caliper either by hand or with a bit of wood.

Not sure how often the pistons need servicing. There is a specific part from Subaru to do this - new seals, etc..

Stefan

 

The "bite" is standard as the pads are meant to be in contact with the disk, if there are no sticking pistons. Hand or a bit or wood should suffice if all is ok.

Careful - make sure the fluid in the reservoir is not really high as pushing the pads (and pistons) back will push fluid into the reservoir and will overflow if you have too much in there.

 

Thanks guys, it wouldn't of occurred to me to remove the BF res. cap.

 

I use a pair of those pliers, the ones that you can adjust the jaw opening size, to squeeze the pads and pistons back into the caliper. Works for me.

Use a bit of copper slip on any metal on metal contact - back, where it contacts the piston and bottom and top edge of pads should be fine.

Good luck.

Dan