I am trying to replace my front brake pads. The left front wheel was a cinch. Now I can't get the cylinder pushed back in on the right side. I've already bent one C clamp. What can I do?

 

Sounds like you have alot of rust or debris on the piston, remove the boot and check. Clean of rust with PB blaster and a rag it should wipe off with a little effort. Also try releasing the bleeder and see if it will go back in that way, less restriction than through the lines all the way back to the master cylinder.

 

It broke loose all of a sudden. Now I got no brakes. I am going to get some fluid and fill up the reservoir. I wonder if I broke something. Got some fluid on the back side of the caliper.

 

After you push the caliper pucks all the way back in and reassemble everything, you need to start the engine, and s-l-o-w-l-y pump the brake pedal several times until you start feeling the normal resistance. Don't push the pedal all the way to the floor when pumping as that will damage the master cylinder.<br>Give it a try and let us know what happens.

 

I already put it to the floor several times. I got a big leak where the brake line goes into the caliper. I am hoping it was just loose from putting the C clamp against it. I'll tighten it up tommorrow and bleed off the air.

 

You should always open the bleeder when pushing the piston back. Especiallywith abs. And like the above post said, dont push the pedal to the floor .

 

I put a mityvac on the bleeder valve and the brakes<br>work OK now.

 

The pedal still slowly goes down if I keep steady pressure <br>on it. I am hoping that is just some air still in the system.

 

Probably air in the caliper that will have to be gravity bled.

 

Had a hose go bad on one of my Honda Accords a few years back that would lock the left front brake on when you pushed the pedal one time so bad the brake would smoke and turn the rotor purple. Drove me crazy trying to figure that one out till I called Honda. He said replace your brake hoses. I argued and he said change your brake hoses. I changed the brake hoses and it quit. I asked him what happened. He cut the old hose open and showed me. The inner rubber liner was failing and when you put on the brakes, the rubber would swing in a direction that blocked the flow of brake fluid back the the reservior acting like a check valve and holding pressure on the caliper. Wierdest thing I have ever seen but he knew what he was talking about and was right on the money. Look at your hoses and consider replacing them.