About to change the front pads alone on my 300SD. They are worn down to about 1/8" thickness and the indicator started coming on like it should
Rotors/bearings are still in good shape and I just planned on changing pads with a new set of PBR's I bought of Roy/Phil.

Do I need to remove the calipers or is it normal to just slip new pads in place once the pins are hammered out?

I understand that I'd still have to press the pistons back in (crowbar against rotor?) and removing it completely wouldn't be that big of a deal if I had to with a C-Clamp but I just wanted to know if that's expected/normal/ridiculous or if there is a shortcut. If it is to be done that way, is it hard to compress the flat spring behind the pins?

I searched around for the answer to this question but couldn't find exactly that.

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1999 210 e300
1995 SL320
2006 E320CDI
previous
1985 126 300SD
1982 123 300TD
1995 140 s600
1969 gto cabriolet
some VW tdi's
1990s saab 9000 aeros
1991 celica GT4 st185
lots GM