front brake help 2001 Caravan

Hello. I consider myself decently handy around cars. Well, last night I am changing out pads on the front. I pull the caliper off and distaster strikes. There are two independent pieces, one housing with the piston attatched and one piece that guides into that bracket with the two bolts with the rubber boots on it. Each having slots for the pads to sit in. The problem is that I cannot get both pads in. I used a caliper spreader to compress the piston as much as possible. It may have moved 1/2" at best. But there is no way I am going to get both pads in. If I put the pad closest to the piston in, the housing that prevents the opposite pad from falling out is beyond the slots for the pad making it impossible to install it. Again, I cannot compress the piston any farther. Could my piston possibly be locked up? I am assuming that if a piston locks it usually locks while fully compressed making me believe this is not what is happening. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rob

Did you open the bleeder valve on the caliper or try to push the caliper piston back in with it closed? It is possible that the ABS is preventing it from going all the way in. Open the bleeder valve and try again. I think you will be successful, if not the piston may be stuck to the point where the caliper will need replaced.