VW parking brake & pistons bullshit

[ducatiz]

I do my own brake jobs.  Always have.

First time to try it on the VW.  I have 2 or 3 piston compressors laying around.  I've never seen the type that need to be turned while pressing.  'tiz not happy.

I have the tool now, it turns the piston as you apply pressure.  

Anyone give me some tips on using it?  IT looks like a regular piston compressor.  Whats'; the deal with this style of caliper?  Does the parking brake lever turn a screw in the piston?

[Porsche Monkey]

Been a long time since I messed with one of those.  You need to turn the piston clockwise as you compress it in. A large C-clamp works well if you have the square type turning tool. If you have a screw type too then it should be self explanatory. Either way screw it in a bit then back off and go at it again.  They are a pain in the ass.

[ducatiz]

ok thanks.

i looked into it a bit and it seems it's a way to have the parking brake be self-adjusting, which i guess is nice.  i hate adjusting the parking brake on the volvo, which has the drum-in-rotor design

[NAKID]

That's how the rear disc brakes are on my 1996 Nissan 240SX work....

[ducpainter]

I think Fords are like that too.

They used to be.

[cduarte]

not any more, thankfully, my '86 svo mustang had those style calipers, which really sucked. The new ones are much better, and use the inside of the brake rotor as a small drum brake.

[ducatiz]

That's how the volvo works but one must adjust the parking brake manually.  I like the extra set of brakes there but the adjustment is a pregnant dog

[acalles]

those things aren't that hard to do..

and be thankful you don't have a B6 passat.

with out a laptop and VCDS you can't do the brakes, and thats a lot more expensive then a caliper tool.

[Popeye the Sailor]

That's how the volvo works but one must adjust the parking brake manually.  I like the extra set of brakes there but the adjustment is a pregnant dog

If you don't drive around with the parking break on so much, it won't need so much adjustment 



My '61 Newport needs a manual brake adjustment on the four wheel drums every week.

[aaronb]

That's how the volvo works but one must adjust the parking brake manually.  I like the extra set of brakes there but the adjustment is a pregnant dog

my bmw has those, in 186k i have adjusted them twice.  both times just using a screw driver through the lug hole.  it took just a few minutes

[elyk]

you can also try and loosen the brake fluid bleeder when your pushing the piston back. makes it easier for me. you dont have to worry about air entering. just top your fluid at the master cylinder.

[ducatiz]

If you don't drive around with the parking break on so much, it won't need so much adjustment 



My '61 Newport needs a manual brake adjustment on the four wheel drums every week.

Mrs Ducatiz drives the volvo and yes, she has driven with the parking brake on before.

She is an MD by the way, and is not stupid, just not car-smart.

[KnightofNi]

my 97 lincoln had the twist type on the front, and the regular press type on the rear.
it annoyed the crap out of the the first time i tried to do my brakes. esp since i had been trying to press it back in with no luck for about 10 min. lol.