Rear brake calliper piston not compressing

[u/BigRoundSquare]

Hi guys,

I’m doing a brake job on my 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The rear has an incorporated e-brake system so I bought one of those cheap cubes that you stick on a ratchet and turn while trying to compress the piston. I got the left side no problem. Right side is giving me grief, I even cracked the bleeder screw and fluid comes out with each turn. I got these calipers replaced at the beginning of last year so I’d be extremely surprised if they seized already.

Any advice would be much appreciated

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[u/roy_westlander]

Twisting caliper set for normal an reversed threat on the caliper. And yes they both exist.

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/roy_westlander]

My buddy brought out this exact same tool set. Worked like a charm. I’ll either borrow it again or buy my own for next time!

[u/Massive-Rate-2011 → u/BigRoundSquare]

Harbor freight has an icon set and a quinn set. Both work great.

[u/mikedt → u/Massive-Rate-2011]

most chain auto parts stores will let you borrow a tool like this.

[u/krunkytacos → u/BigRoundSquare]

I'm glad you got it done but in rare circumstances I have seen these type of calipers really resist. If they do, my recommendation is to replace that caliper or at least monitor its performance and your brake fluid level until you have verified full functionality. Working brakes are my favorite part of a car. 

[u/Matroc21]

Some cars have to be spun the opposite way of the other side if that makes sense. Id try that

[u/davidc538]

Pretty sure you need a tool to turn it with…..

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/davidc538]

I’ve got one of those. My buddy is bringing a better quality one

[u/davidc538 → u/BigRoundSquare]

That should do it, might be worth getting one of these on sale…. https://www.harborfreight.com/master-brake-caliper-set-20-piece-58117.html

[u/MyDogBigG → u/davidc538]

No you can get that whole set on Amazon from OMT for like $30 same exact shit

[u/davidc538 → u/MyDogBigG]

I have that omt one and the icon one. Would def recommend getting the icon one on sale. The omt case is total shit and a few other minor issues that i can’t remember.

[u/MyDogBigG → u/davidc538]

You’re not wrong about that😂

[u/davidc538 → u/MyDogBigG]

Pretty sure the icon one goes on sale for $40 and HF’s warranty is awesome

[u/MyDogBigG → u/davidc538]

That ain’t bad at all for that price

[u/dreakon → u/[deleted]]

How? Don't you just use that tool with a socket wrench? Did you try to turn that thing with your bare hands?

[u/RecentChivalry472]

This is the worst game of Tetris I’ve ever seen.

[u/RickityNL]

Are you turning it the correct way? E brake actuator screws are probably mirrored

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/RickityNL]

I’ll try a different direction. Oddly enough they both seem to be spinning fine by turning clockwise

[u/donny321123]

Man just go to harbor freight or somewhere that sells tools and buy yourself a proper break caliper tool set and save yourself the grief. They cost don’t cost much more than the cheap o version you already have and they actually work.

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/donny321123]

You’re right about that, cheap tools do suck

[u/svtxrn]

If one side won’t go on with the same force the other side did… that side is seized. Take it from me, I did this on a Mazda 3 once and thought it would be fine after I used some extra force on the side that wouldn’t compress. Then I had to replace the caliper the next week.

[u/dompipeinmi → u/svtxrn]

I had an idiot neighbor who had a stuck caliper. He got mad at me when i refused to just force it in with my press so he could run it.. the new caliper was a whopping 25 bucks and 10 min drive.. He beat it back in somehow. A few days later he hits his brakes on the highway, and ended up in the swamp beside the highway.. im sure that was my fault or someone elses too.. lol

[u/legand1450]

you will need to turn that piston in to decompress it

[u/m4rkz0r]

Are you turning it and expecting it to push by itself while you turn it? Or are you turning it and then compressing it seperately?

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/m4rkz0r]

I am turning and pressing with the tool at the same time. That’s how I got the other side in. It’s possible this calliper is seized

[u/m4rkz0r → u/BigRoundSquare]

You're not pressing hard enough. After you've turned it a bunch of times take the cube off and use a c-clamp or an actual caliper compressor.

The cube kind of sucks IMO.

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/m4rkz0r]

Yea I also tried that method with this other cheap calliper compression tool I have. My buddy is bringing a nice one.

I agree, the cube does suck lol

[u/Worst-Lobster → u/BigRoundSquare]

Are you turning the right way ?

[u/stripe888 → u/Worst-Lobster]

Some need loads of force, I get someone to push their foot against the ratchet while turning

[u/Evening-Cat-7546 → u/BigRoundSquare]

I think it’s seized and leaking fluid. At least it looks like fluid on the bottom of the rubber. Either that, or that’s where your hand removed some dust. If it’s leaking, it’s done for, even if you get it unstuck. Brake fluid will destroy your brand new pads.

[u/Altruistic_Syrup_596]

Press as you turn that is why some of those sets that you get has a left-hand side and right hand size so when you put it on, and then you go to screw it in it wedges against the caliper and then presses the piston at the same time, it turns

[u/Altruistic_Syrup_596 → u/Altruistic_Syrup_596]

Secondly, I know it’s not on the vibe because 09 vibes did not have electronic parking. Brakes is that if your car has an electronic parking brake, you must put the electronic parking brake in maintenance mode to depress said piston you must then take it out of service mode and the motor starts running presses the pad till it stops and backs off a hair. An emergency electronic break is functional.

[u/Jealous_Routine_8211]

Are you trying to spin it or push it in

[u/Confident_Pin_8316]

You just need a better tool that compresses while being turned.

[u/barbojam1]

That rotor like glazed I bet it dieted

[u/barbojam1 → u/barbojam1]

Dieted

[u/Public-Piano9158]

I think that spins in

[u/achtung_2112]

Press and spin

[u/SwordfishOk8752]

If you try to squeeze a twist‑type brake caliper piston instead of rotating it, you could easily damage the internal mechanism and end up having to buy a new caliper. Make sure you know the correct procedure before you start—watch a video or look up instructions first. I’ve heard of people using a clamp on pistons that are designed to turn, not compress, and they ended up ruining the caliper.

[u/ProblemLumpy9565]

Something to try ! Open the bleeder while trying to screw it in ! It might help

[u/portagedude]

Some cars like mazda need to do something on dashboard to release the piston

[u/ldp103]

you need a special caliper press, go to the auto parts store and rent one, you have to turn them counter clockwise and it will spin back in.

[u/substack1012]

What was said already. Pontiac vibe is a toyota matrix that's been re badged. Most Japanese cars are opposite side to side. Turn counterclockwise and press. It will spin both ways but only go in one. You can get a kit on Amazon for cheap that has two compressors, one right hand one left hand thread.

[u/rioryan]

Is that brake fluid coming out of it? If so it’s time for a new caliper, it’s leaking.

[u/yourcousinvinny3 → u/rioryan]

Yeah cooked. Happened to mine

[u/PIG20 → u/rioryan]

He said he opened the bleeder in the post so it's probably residue from that.

[u/mckeeganator]

Is that a twist caliper or a push caliper?

[u/Sure-Bison-3726]

It maybe seized.

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/Sure-Bison-3726]

This is what I’m worried about… my buddy is gonna bring a better quality piston compressor kit over to see if we can put a bit more force on it. Honestly bummed if it is seized as I bought these last year

[u/ldp103 → u/BigRoundSquare]

I thought the same when I did a nissan sentra rear brakes, but those has to spin back in a counter clockwise motion not the normal pressing back in

[u/Zealousideal-Pen8900 → u/[deleted]]

He’s stated that he is aware they rotate in and has been trying that. Most pistons with notches in there like this are twist.

[u/Happy2bHome]

Try pumping the brakes to get it to come out further, then try again to compress it

[u/BigRoundSquare → u/Happy2bHome]

Not a bad idea, will keep that in mind

[u/PirateOliveBeard → u/Happy2bHome]

Beccareful you can push the whole piston out! Make sure you leave brake pad in if you pump them

[u/Winter_Age7707]

Driver side is left hand thread I believe you have to twist it couter clockwise while compressing it. You can rent tool kits at AutoZone or advanced auto 

[u/EcstaticMobile3969]

That the turn piston. Not just press in

[u/kinkierthanyouthink1]

C clamp and round jaw channel locks, or buy the right tool.

[u/ThanksTop7978]

Maybe the brake line is delaminated abd plugged

[u/dmob551]

Maybe you need to put the car in maintaince mode if u change the rear brakes.. only if you have electric handbrake