hello folks.
need some help here...I'm trying to change the front brake pads on an 85 300TD w123, I'm able to remove the springs, and sensors, and able to remove one pad, and install new one, but the other pad is too thick. i cant seem to push the piston back far enough for the new pad. I've tried it with the caliper installed, and removed, and by using a clamp. I've removed all the fluid, didn't help. can't move the piston. any suggestions?

If the surface of the piston is past the surface of the casting of the caliper and it will not go back in then it is time to replace the caliper.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I would be thinking the pads are wrong first. Maybe try a different brand.

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Prost!

did you clamp one piston,while pressing the other in with channel locks?

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

That, and also, is this just one side doing this or is it both sides (of the car, not the caliper)?

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-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition

thanks for the replies.
yes, it only affects one side of the caliper (pass side), i put a new break shoes in the other side. (same caliper) i also was able to install new shoes in the other caliper (driver side) w/o any trouble. something about that caliper.

Ok, now that I read your post more thoroughly, it's clearly not a pads issue. I can't think of any reason why the piston should not retract. You may want to remove it with compressed air or by attaching back to the brake hose and using fluid pressure. Then you can inspect and clean.

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Prost!

Are the calipers the same brand/manufacturer left and right on the same axle?

Did you use brake pad shims?

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I hope you didn't brake anything on your breaks

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

the disc is not thick its just the caliper is not resting in its place . replace your caliper ,, if you dont you will experience a disturbing vibration allover your car

oh sorry i ment the piston ,, i though the english name for it was a caliper ! stupid me.