braking n00b....

[Ivan Sng]

I'm in the process of replacing my driver's side front brake. I managed to coax the seized caliper off the rotor with a gentle combination of piece of wood, mallet, and profanity. I then (with the caliper still attached to brake line) tried to squeeze the piston back into it's original position with my hands; the piston isn't going anywhere, confirming that the caliper is damaged?

Remembering what the lordco guy said about collapsed brake lines, I put a pan under the brake assembly and proceeded to remove the rubber brake connection from the seized caliper. No liquid came out. My question is, is liquid supposed to come out? or is that normal? or do I need to replace the brake line too?

Also, when I do put my new caliper in, will I need to bleed the system at all 4 points?

[Nathan Tralenberg]

i always had to use a clamp to push bak any caliper I have ever worked on. and as for a collapsed line, wouldn't that be visible. There should be something coming out of the lines, did you pump the breaks? Yes bleed the system for air!

[John Hartman]

yep, you probably won't be able to move it by hand, use either a C clamp or a large pair of water pump pliers.