HELP - Messed up my rear disc brakes

[purepower77]

I need some help... I spent a good part of the day doing the rear disc brakes on my '93 Lumina... I had to take the calipers off and bring them inside to get those damned pistons in (yeah, I read the other threads... helped immensely, especially since I didn't realize just how much more complicated the rear would be). Anyway, I finally got everything back together and topped up the brake fluid...

Now, the pads won't really set. I have to press the brake pedal 3 times, and on the third they feel fine. The first two are just nothing but air. So, the third works, and then I'll give the car some gas and move, say, 10 feet, and then have to press the brakes 3 times to stop again.

Could I just have a stupidly large amount of air in the brake system and have to bleed them? Could I possibly have damaged the pistons? (I don't think I could have buggered BOTH of them, but I guess it's possible) Aside from the air, I can't really think of what it could be, but I'm pretty much an amateur.

Can anyone give me some ideas to try out?

Thanks a lot.

[16th hippy]

you didn't mention that you bled the system. if you didn't, then you do have air in there. it MUST be bled out!

[john51md]

Originally Posted by purepower77

I need some help... I spent a good part of the day doing the rear disc brakes on my '93 Lumina... I had to take the calipers off and bring them inside to get those damned pistons in (yeah, I read the other threads... helped immensely, especially since I didn't realize just how much more complicated the rear would be). Anyway, I finally got everything back together and topped up the brake fluid...

Now, the pads won't really set. I have to press the brake pedal 3 times, and on the third they feel fine. The first two are just nothing but air. So, the third works, and then I'll give the car some gas and move, say, 10 feet, and then have to press the brakes 3 times to stop again.

Could I just have a stupidly large amount of air in the brake system and have to bleed them? Could I possibly have damaged the pistons? (I don't think I could have buggered BOTH of them, but I guess it's possible) Aside from the air, I can't really think of what it could be, but I'm pretty much an amateur.

Can anyone give me some ideas to try out?

Thanks a lot.

Maybe i am thinking of a different car, but dont you have to use the E brake to adjust those pistons back out?

[purepower77]

No, you're right, I didn't bleed the system. I'll try that. Would be great if that solved the problem, which I think it probably will since the brakes do 'harden up' eventually.

Thanks a lot.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by purepower77

No, you're right, I didn't bleed the system. I'll try that. Would be great if that solved the problem, which I think it probably will since the brakes do 'harden up' eventually.

Thanks a lot.

if you must remove caliper pistons simply disconnect the caliper pins pads and with the hose attached and rag around piston step on brake pedal this will push piston out rag will protect piston from getting damaged then repair and install. do one side at a time bleeding is common sense. make sure brake res does not drain out all the way.........

[john51md]

Originally Posted by j cAT

if you must remove caliper pistons simply disconnect the caliper pins pads and with the hose attached and rag around piston step on brake pedal this will push piston out rag will protect piston from getting damaged then repair and install. do one side at a time bleeding is common sense. make sure brake res does not drain out all the way.........

Honestly, those rear calipers... if you have the money, its better and easier to replace them on these cars. Worse design i ever messed with.. ya know i heard before that later in years Lumi's went back to drum brakes for awhile, and the first ones to get them would interchange on a older lumi. But, as i said, i "heard" this.