I'm putting new pads and rotors on my 2000 Accord V-6 Coupe. The fronts went on without a problem. After I got the new rotors on the rear I put a C-clamp on the caliper piston and squeezed it in. When I put on the new brake pads and went to install the caliper assembly on the rotor the gap was too small. I measured the old and new rotors with a caliper guage and they are the same thickness. It seemed like the rear caliper pistons didn't retract as far as the fronts. Any suggestions?

 

The rear calipers have an integrated parking brake in the piston. You need to pick up a "brake cube" from Sears for less than $15 or use a needle nose to turn them in.

 

The rear piston threads in just like a nut and bolt. I use needle nose vise grips and you need to stop with the piston lined up for the notch in the pads.

 

So, the caliper piston itself screws in like a large nut with a needle nose? I don't remember any part of the piston looking like it had a bump or anything to line up with a notch in the pads but I'll look carefully. Thanks

 

There should be a big slot in the face of the piston. I use a putty knife as a screwdriver. It moves slow/smooth with moderate force. Watch the rubber piston seals so they don't wrinkle & tear.

But... If you pressed it very hard with the C-clamp, you may have damaged the handbrake auto-adjust mechanism. Hope not, 'cause you'll need a rebuilt or new caliper.

 

The inner brake pads have a raised bump that fits into the cross cut into the caliper piston. The piston should thread pretty easily if it is undamaged from clamping it. I use anti seized on the back of the pad or caliper piston face and on the back of the outer pad and shims if it has them.

 

People really shouldn't work on their own cars, without at least the help of a good service manual. Even something that most would assume is simple, like changing coolant, has certain procedures to follow. Nobody can remember everything, and even seasoned professionals need the manual, every now and then. GET ONE!

 

^Truth.

A years subscription for 1 car to AllDataDIY.com is like $30 and a Helm, Inc. factory service manual is about $70.

 

I got to work on the middle 1980’s rear disk American cars and they had a crazy procedure compared to Honda.