break problem

andygas · 07-01-2009, 10:20 AM

I have a VW transporter T5 van and have just changed the front break pads without problem.
I have then tried to change the rears and have realised that I cannot push the pistons back to accomodate the new break shoe. They will not budge.
I know they are not seized as they move when operating the break.
I am pushing with the bleed nipple open to release the pressure to no avail.
The fronts pushed back with a clamp quite easily.

Please can anyone help?

Andy

**manic** · 07-01-2009, 01:18 PM

You need to have the master cylinder cap off, to allow for expansion..
Not familiar with vw's, but if there is a adjuster, you may need to roll
it back a ways to allow for the new meat...If the adjuster was all the
way out, then you need to roll it back.....

**octaneman** · 07-01-2009, 01:28 PM

Hi andygas

Q:I have then tried to change the rears and have realized that I cannot push the pistons back to accommodate the new break shoe. They will not budge./:Q

Can you tell us the year and engine size of the T5 ?

In order not to be confused, brakes with with discs have calipers, pads and rotors. Brakes with drums have wheel cylinders,shoes and drums. The terms are not interchangeable. You mentioned that you tried to push the pistons in the rear. Are the rear brakes discs or drums?

**manic** · 07-01-2009, 01:35 PM

Good question, as stated not familiar with vw's. Even if we had the
year of the vehicle we would have a clue, sorta...we/I...Four wheel
disc brake is kind of a new thing, to a degree, but the germans were
ahead, and still are in alot of ways...

pat mcgroin · 07-01-2009, 03:10 PM

The problem is most likely due to the emergency brake.
Inside of the caliper is a mechanical mechanism that operates the E brake.
I am not familier with VWs but I would suggest going to AutoZone.com and see if they have a manual available online to see how it is released.
I had a Cadillac like that and it isnt hard to do but only the manual can explain it correctly.

andygas · 07-02-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manic

You need to have the master cylinder cap off, to allow for expansion..
Not familiar with vw's, but if there is a adjuster, you may need to roll
it back a ways to allow for the new meat...If the adjuster was all the
way out, then you need to roll it back.....

andygas · 07-02-2009, 01:27 AM

thanks for your advice, ile try it with the master cylinder cap off. Not sure if it has an adjuster yet. Ive got some technical info discs coming soon so ile check before i attempt it again.
Thankyou

thanks for your advice, ive got a few more options to try now.
Thanks

just to let you know the van is a 2006 model with a 1.9 turbo diesel engine. all four breaks are discs and callipers

volcano · 07-03-2009, 01:07 AM

this may be the type you have to rewind with a caliper rewind tool. they wont just go back in they screw back in. i worked on a mustang gt once that had that. if it has 2 holes on the end of the caliper piston thats probably what it is.

**octaneman** · 07-03-2009, 08:51 PM

Volkswagen and other German cars are consistent when it comes to component replacement, all of their cars have their parts made by Bosch that is why most of their parts are interchangeable from one car to another regardless of the year it was made. German diesels are different, the calipers may consist of a dual or quad pistons ( porche style system) and in some cases dual bleeders. When attempting to push the piston on one side, the other piston next to it slides out, and the only way to set it is by clamping one piston while pushing in the other and doing this 1 wheel at a time. If one piston is siezed putting new pads will be next to impossible.

andygas · 07-04-2009, 02:15 AM

ive had advice from someone else and it looks like your right volcano! Im going to but a calliper rewind tool and give it a go, thanks!

07-01-2009, 10:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
andygas Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: win2000	break problem I have a VW transporter T5 van and have just changed the front break pads without problem. I have then tried to change the rears and have realised that I cannot push the pistons back to accomodate the new break shoe. They will not budge. I know they are not seized as they move when operating the break. I am pushing with the bleed nipple open to release the pressure to no avail. The fronts pushed back with a clamp quite easily. Please can anyone help? Andy

07-01-2009, 01:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,195 OS: xp	Re: break problem You need to have the master cylinder cap off, to allow for expansion.. Not familiar with vw's, but if there is a adjuster, you may need to roll it back a ways to allow for the new meat...If the adjuster was all the way out, then you need to roll it back..... __________________

07-01-2009, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
octaneman Mentor Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 487 OS: WINXP	Re: break problem Hi andygas Q:I have then tried to change the rears and have realized that I cannot push the pistons back to accommodate the new break shoe. They will not budge./:Q Can you tell us the year and engine size of the T5 ? In order not to be confused, brakes with with discs have calipers, pads and rotors. Brakes with drums have wheel cylinders,shoes and drums. The terms are not interchangeable. You mentioned that you tried to push the pistons in the rear. Are the rear brakes discs or drums?

07-01-2009, 01:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,195 OS: xp	Re: break problem Good question, as stated not familiar with vw's. Even if we had the year of the vehicle we would have a clue, sorta...we/I...Four wheel disc brake is kind of a new thing, to a degree, but the germans were ahead, and still are in alot of ways... __________________

07-01-2009, 03:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
pat mcgroin Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 475 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: break problem The problem is most likely due to the emergency brake. Inside of the caliper is a mechanical mechanism that operates the E brake. I am not familier with VWs but I would suggest going to AutoZone.com and see if they have a manual available online to see how it is released. I had a Cadillac like that and it isnt hard to do but only the manual can explain it correctly.

07-02-2009, 01:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
andygas Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: win2000	thanks for your advice, ile try it with the master cylinder cap off. Not sure if it has an adjuster yet. Ive got some technical info discs coming soon so ile check before i attempt it again. Thankyou thanks for your advice, ive got a few more options to try now. Thanks just to let you know the van is a 2006 model with a 1.9 turbo diesel engine. all four breaks are discs and callipers Last edited by dai; 07-02-2009 at 03:28 AM.

07-03-2009, 01:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
volcano Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 22 OS: xp	Re: break problem this may be the type you have to rewind with a caliper rewind tool. they wont just go back in they screw back in. i worked on a mustang gt once that had that. if it has 2 holes on the end of the caliper piston thats probably what it is.

07-03-2009, 08:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
octaneman Mentor Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 487 OS: WINXP	Re: break problem Volkswagen and other German cars are consistent when it comes to component replacement, all of their cars have their parts made by Bosch that is why most of their parts are interchangeable from one car to another regardless of the year it was made. German diesels are different, the calipers may consist of a dual or quad pistons ( porche style system) and in some cases dual bleeders. When attempting to push the piston on one side, the other piston next to it slides out, and the only way to set it is by clamping one piston while pushing in the other and doing this 1 wheel at a time. If one piston is siezed putting new pads will be next to impossible.

07-04-2009, 02:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
andygas Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: win2000	Re: break problem ive had advice from someone else and it looks like your right volcano! Im going to but a calliper rewind tool and give it a go, thanks!