I just changed everything on my 99 Blazer's rear brakes(drums, pads, parking brake shoes, backing plates). I can not for the life of me get the caliper to fit back over the outer pad! could I have brake pads that are too thick? or am I just being really dumb. Any help would be great.

 

why is this in the DIY section? Did you compress the caliper before attempting to put it back over the disc?

 

Sorry, I didn't know where to post(just signed up for this site). And yes the piston is bottomed out, but has nothing to do with why it's not going on. The caliper mounts on the bracket, the inner pad will fit in fine, the outer one is stopping me from clearing the mounting bolts. Is it possible to make the pad thinner?

 

open the brake bleeder with a wrench and push the pistons all the way back into the caliper.

 

LuckyD,
Are you putting the bracket onto the backing plate first then mounting the caliper into the bracket (taking care to compress the rubber boots to clear the caliper bosses)? Don't put the caliper into the bracket first.
Hope this helps.