I was trying to do the simple task of replacing the front brake pads on my '82 300 TD wagon. I was able easily able to get one of the pads out, but the other one, the one closest to the car, I was unable to get out. When I would try to push the current brake pad back into the caliper to make room for the new thicker pad, it seemed like the pad was frozen in place. It would not budge. I tried tappiing on it with a hammer, blasting it with dynamite and it would not move. Is there something that I am missing, or does this mean I probably need to get a new set of front calipers?

Try either a big C-clamp or a big pair of channel locks, and squeeze the caliper piston back in. To get the other brake pad out use either of the tool above, and squeeze on the lip of the bake pad and the caliper. If you can't do it with a c-clamp or a pair of channel locks then your caliper is probably seized. I have had some luck getting them to brake loose and work fine for a couple more years, but if they are seized it's probably time for new ones, either now or down the road if you can brake them loose.

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get a HUGE common screwdriver. get it in there between the rotor and the stuck pad and LEAN ON IT!
if that doesn't work, you're gonna have to replace the caliper.
My TD did the same thing... I got spare cars to pull from!
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

You might be able to break the pad loose by knocking it "in" first. Some high pressure water to soften up accumulated brake dust won't hurt anything, either.