Problem backing off rear brake pistons

Newbie Joined: Sep 05, 2008 Posts: 7

Tried to change the A6's (98, 1.9tdi) rear pads this morning. I followed some instructions I'd found on the internet about turning the pistons clockwise to back them off, but to no avail.

The instructions I'd found suggested using some needle nose pliers to fit in the notches in the piston, but instead I used an adjustable plumber's wrench to grip and turn the piston. Half an hour later and I was still turning the bl00dy thing with it not going anywhere! I tried backing them up using a clamp but that didn't work either.

What am I doing wrong?

Newbie Joined: Sep 05, 2008 Posts: 7

Update to post...

It appears that turning it is the right thing to do, but it's not as easy as it appears to be. You have to be prepared for nothing to happen for a very long time, and then all of a sudden, hey presto!, one backed off piston. Go figure....

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:45 pm

You can get proper tools to do it:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_567033_langId_-1_categoryId_165727

Newbie Joined: Jan 29, 2011 Posts: 5

You can wind umm back the way you are but not ideal, there is a proper wind back tool. With the proper tool it winds it and pushes it so you might have to put a bit of pressure on it, if it's a bit stubbon just crack off the bleed nipple. Just be careful doing it with grips or pliers etc not to tear the rubber boot round the piston. It might be worth before you wind the piston back just lifting back the boot to check the piston has not got any rusty rings round it.

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 5:04 pm

had to do this on a clio once and it took me 10 minutes before i realised i had to wind them the wrong way to wind them back!!