xsara front brake caliper retract piston

[amateur]

How do I retract the piston on the front brake caliper on a Xsara?

Its an 1999 "T" reg diesel.

I know this is pretty basic stuff for all you citroen veterans out there, but help me out here, my username is amateur after all!

Is it a push or does it screw in to retract?

Been pushing it, but don't want to force it.

Does it need a special tool? (other than me!).

Thanks.

[Stewart(oily)]

Xsara is conventional, the piston just needs to be pushed straight back in, in an ideal world firm thumb pressure will do it, otherwise a large G clamp will help.

[amateur]

Thanks Oily, had this old beast 8 years, most reliable car I've ever had. It just breezed through the M.O.T the other day. I did the rear shoes and brake cylinders 4 years ago, no problem at all. This is the first time I've ever done front discs and pads (although I've seen it done a dozen times). The discs and pads I've taken off have been on 8 years since I got the car, could the piston be partially seized? (in the out position) but the brakes still working? It seems REALLY stiff. Don't worry, I won't ask again! But just don't want to force it and completely Knacker it.

[Hell Razor5543]

If they are like the Xantia brake callipers, you do need to wind them back in (direction is not important). I used the old brake pad to do this.

[chinkostu]

Put the inboard pad back in and pull the caliper against the disc using the pad

[amateur]

Thanks Hell Razor, Will winding them bugger them if they are the push type? I looked for a type stamped on them, but nothing. think they are Girling calipers. And thanks Chinkostu for the tip..... sounds like a plan.

[van ordinaire]

If the pistons push in, they'll have plain faces, if they screw in, they'll have indents for the proper tool (or a "cube") &, of course, the inner pad to locate. To screw pistons in, you can often get away with using a pair of pliers, but that can be fiddly - & may not work if they're very stiff. I've never had a car which had enough room to turn the piston with the pad, but sounds like a clever trick!

Given that it's taken so long for the pads to wear to the point they need replacing, the walls of the pistons will have been exposed for some time, a little clean + some suitable lubricant/freeing agent down the dust boot should help enormously.

[amateur]

Thanks Van, Just got hold of a "G" clamp, so will try that, and also your lubrication tip might be the clincher.
Really nervous about lubricants anywhere near the brakes though. (except copper grease on backs of pads).
So I'll have a try with the clamp first and see how it goes.........to be continued.

[amateur]

Thanks to all who gave advice. The G clamp worked a treat. The drivers side looked the least hassle (less rust and gunk build up) but was a mini pain in the a***. The passenger side was full of gunk and corrosion inside the piston bore but pushed in a treat, took no time at all to do disc and pads. Next job........ timing belt. Did one on my old 1995 ZX diesel years ago with no hassle. Is it the same set up on my Xsara? Any one had any nasty surprises doing timing belt on a Xsara or is it the same as a ZX? Maybe a job for next year if its tricky (nothing on a car is easily fixed on the street). Thanks again.

[JohnD]

Next job........ timing belt. Did one on my old 1995 ZX diesel years ago with no hassle. Is it the same set up on my Xsara? .

Depends on engine type. The early XUDs had an automatic adjustment for tension. The later DWs and HDI's need tensioning by hand or gauge.

[van ordinaire]

Must admit, I've bottled out of doing my cam belt having read it up in the Haynes manual (although my copy doesn't cover my engine) at least until I've got hold of the diesel engine manual - although I'm not optimistic that the later engine is any easier to work on.

[van ordinaire]

Sorry, Amateur, should've started with "Glad you found it useful &, of course, that you've got the job done"

[chinkostu]

The dw8 belt isn't too hard once you've got it all locked up. Hardest part is reaching the tensioner!

[van ordinaire]

That gives a little encouragement, thanks - perhaps I ought to look out for that diesel manual.

By the time I've replace the CPS on the Jeep tomorrow, I'll be an expert on access to components that can't be located (indeed, are barely visible!)

[amateur]

Thanks again gents. Think I'll give the timing belt a miss till next summer! My old mans knees can't take anymore scrabbling around on the street. And I remember actually fitting the belt on the old ZX thinking " I wish I had 3 arms to do this!" (even with it all locked up). Anyway, the old Xsara soldiers on. And if the timing belt gods are kind to me she''ll be still be trundling along this time next year. Amateur signing off........ until the next thing wears out/breaks. Bye.