Brakes on Olds Aurora

dodge man · May 28, 2011

I did the rear brakes on my sons 1999 Olds Aurora today. I put on new rotors, and pads. The one thing that was different, is most vehicles I just pushed the piston back into the calipers with a large C clamp and was done. On this car, it took a special tool and you had to spin the piston and push it back into the bore of the calipers. Are the pistons threaded into the bores or what? It seemed like it took about 100 turns to get them back in.

dstig1 · May 28, 2011

It is a design you see with some rear disc brakes. The turning is related to the parking brake. It ratchets out to account for wear. So on those designs you need to push and turn. Depending on how tough it is, sometimes needle nose pliers cna be openeed enough to do the job. But some really need pressure with the turning.

whodat526 · May 28, 2011

my 98 mustang was like that we found out after braking a c clamp

xtn · May 28, 2011

It's pretty easy to identify those that require turning, as they will have holes in the face of the piston for the tool.

whodat526 · May 28, 2011

xtn said:
It's pretty easy to identify those that require turning, as they will have holes in the face of the piston for the tool.

my mustang didn't

xtn · May 29, 2011

whodat526 said:
my mustang didn't

Oh? How were they designed to be screwed back down?

tcartwri · May 29, 2011

There are actually a lot of cars like this.

timswi · May 29, 2011

tcartwri said:
There are actually a lot of cars like this.

Theres there are a ton of them out there. A universal tool to screw them back in is very reasonably priced. I've had one for 15 years ... Subaru used to have those on the front disks.

dodge man · May 29, 2011

Yeah the tool I bought goes on a 3/8 ratchet, and fits several different style of brakes, it was $11.

clemsonfor · May 29, 2011

I just rent the tool or actually they loan it to you at advance for free, you keep it and use it then next time you pass return it for a refund. A lot of those GM cars that size have it.