Just a quick question. How far should the piston on the rear caliper on a 2000 blazer be compressed? I tried doing my rear pads today but I couldn't get the piston compressed far enough. Should it be flush with the caliper?

 

Yeah the piston should just go to being flush with the caliper. If the pads still don't fit then they may have gave you wrong pads or rotor.

 

cheap aluminum calipers on rear of my 05
ended up replacing both the last brake job because the pistons were to tight pushing back
the piston should be flush when compressed

 

They weren't completely flush, but I couldn't get them to go in any further. I guess I just need a bigger c clamp.

 

Had the same problem just recently. I was trying to do my brakes myself to save $$$. Bought pads/rotors and for whatever reason started with the rears first. Could not get the caliper piston pressed in far enough to get the caliper back on over the rotor. Not like I've never done this before. Did a full brake job on my old Explorer 2 or 3 years ago. Anyway, ended up taking it (put the old pads etc. back on.) to my son's shop and he determined that the cylinder in the caliper had some kind of build up preventing the compression of the piston back into the caliper. Had to replace the caliper. After that...no problem. Good luck!

 

When I tried to tighten it all the way my c clamp actually broke in half. Maybe I need a new caliper, and I definitely need a new clamp.

 

sometimes when compressing the caliper with a C clamp it helps to open the bleeder at the same time - relieves the back pressure - also use a old brake pad between the caliper and the clamp to keep the pressure on the caliper piston square

 

Calipers should be replaced each time the brakes are done, (especially aluminum calipers). Brake fluid is hygroscopic, (it attracts moisture). When moisture enters the caliper, corrosion starts, and eventually the piston binds. When the piston binds, the pads drag on the rotor and wear out the pads and rotor prematurely. Cheaper in the long run to do the job right one time.

 

I use one of these to push back the piston
they are reasonably priced and if you can not easily turn the thumb screw you know you need a caliper
OEM/Disc brake pad spreader (25265) | Brake Tool | AutoZone.com

it works on most calipers