Changing rear brake pads -- pistons won't push in

[Motormike]

So, I'm finally getting around to my rear brake pad replacement, got the old ones off, went to push the pistons in, but no luck getting enough room for the new pads. I tried using my fingers, wedging it with a piece of wood and using the old pads plus a metal bar to try and lever them back.

Any tips, or am I looking at taking the whole right fairing off to get to the master cylinder and diaphragm to loosen the pressure and get the pistons to move back?

Thanks!

MM

[wcj]

You can put the old pad in and try a small c-clamp or plumbing pliers. The res shouldnt prevent it from pushing in. It shouldnt be very difficult to push in unless there's something else going on.

Without first hand knowledge about it, if I had to guess, I'd guess the caliper may need to be cleaned and rebuilt.

[Motormike]

They've pushed in a little, but not enough to get the new pads in. Mind you, I'm going from some very worn pads to brand new HH ones. The fluid level also looks very low, for what that's worth.

MM

[t.c.mitchell]

you could try and loosen the bleeder valve. that might help. i know i have always had to do that when doing mine.

[IndyGunner]

if you buy ebc pads make sure to leave the shim out

[Motormike]

I thought about the bleeder valve, but then if my fluid is already low, I'm still facing having to take the fairing off and top off the fluid. I was hoping the fluid would flow back into the cylinder as the piston was pushed in, and it would rise back up.

MM

Yep, EBC pads, no shims.

[squiggy]

you could try and loosen the bleeder valve. that might help. i know i have always had to do that when doing mine.

That's what I've done as well. But for me, I have speed bleeders which helps.

[Motormike]

OK, I managed to get the pistons to retreat through more use of the wooden wedge and some elbow grease. Still a little concerned that the fluid level is very low. Guess I need to take the fairings off anyway to top it off. Good thing I don't rely on my rear brakes too much, eh?

MM

[H-2 CHARLIE]

i see you got it ...i always use a c-clamp and clean the piston real well then use some syn. grease to help move it in easyer ...a good time the change the fluid too

[rikeran]

I found out that there is a check valve in the rear break system .. I think the only way I got it in was to bleed it out ..
Or it's time for a rebuild..