Topic: Seized front brake pad/piston... grrrr!

[Spanner 1]

So the 750 K8 has a solidly stuck front brake pad. No amount of pulling on the brake lever will shift it, even with the caliper free of the rotor it's not possible to 'pry' the pad out ( only breaks the pad material ). Should I try to bash it inwards ( brake line is disconnected, caliper on the bench ) to free it from its 'frozen' spot ? Or heat the caliper with a butane torch? Any ideas appreciated.
BTW, I'm hoping the piston behind the pad is not seized also 

[333]

It's a guarantee that the piston is seized.  The pad has no power in this equation.  Without cracking the hydraulic line, disassemble the caliper enough to get some solvent in behind the pad.  The pad is cheaper to replace than the piston, so don't worry about the pad. after the solvent soaks in, try the brake handle again to pump the piston out.  And hope the piston isn't rusted, but more important, pitted.  Surface rust can be cleaned off, pits in the chrome(yes, chrome) can't.

[Eddie]

replace bleeder with a grease zerk....attach greas gun and pump away....guarantee it will pop out..

[Tree]

+1 on the grease gun technique. I had one that was frozen solid  on my K8 and it worked like a charm.  The grease puts a tremendous amount of force on the piston from the back side.  Some use compressed air, but I don't think it's as effective and the piston can shoot out like a bullet.  I think there are several posts on how to do this.

[luap]

air compressor will also work if you dont have a grease gun

[ekpent]

I have used the air method but put a C-clamp over the area where the piston will travel. Leave enough room for it to break loose but as mentioned not shoot across the room and damage or hurt somebody or something.Open it more when needed. Like a gun point it safely,Serious safety issue. The grease method is safer 

[Trav-i]

Hey Ray go with the grease method.  That's what I had to with a stuck piston I had too, the air method is only good if the piston actually moves.  Plus with the grease method the piston doesn't end up across the room, it just requires a bit more clean up.

[Dave K]

Keep your hand out of the way! Been there and done that and it HURT!

[Spanner 1]

Great, thanks all. So a grease zerk will fit in place of the bleed nipple and maybe a bolt to close the fluid line hole and pump away ! I'll try it tomorrow 

[MCRider]

replace bleeder with a grease zerk....attach greas gun and pump away....guarantee it will pop out..

Don't even need to do that. Remove the head from the grease gun hose. You should be left with a male thread. Thread this into the caliper. You'll only catch a few threads as they are not the same threads. But a few is all it takes. Then pump the gun and watch the piston slowly come out of the caliper. Honest.

[Spanner 1]

Woop-de-do.... I'm going out to try that NOW .... back in 5 mins

[Spanner 1]

Insanely easy!!!!....... wow, threaded the grease gun about 2 turns into the caliper ( where the brake line fitting would go ) , left the bleeder in place, 4 strokes of the g.gun and the brake pad followed by the piston popped out  ... the piston has a little pitting but I have used worse with no issues... woohoo.
Thanks again fellas and MC a 12 pack of cyber beers is on the way 

[MCRider]

cyber beer.... drool   

[luap]

with the air if you put the screws back threw just enough to hold the 2 calipers together finger out of harms way an  no shooting across the room, but grease does sound alot easier an safer. did you get the zerk tip at checkers/ auto parts store

[MCRider]

with the air if you put the screws back threw just enough to hold the 2 calipers together finger out of harms way an  no shooting across the room, but grease does sound alot easier an safer. did you get the zerk tip at checkers/ auto parts store

zerk not necessary, read #9 above.

[Doum]

I use a manual hyd pump,like the gun grease,impossible to find a better way to remove it

[CoachDoc]

I like the towel method. I just position the caliper so the piston will exit downward and place a soft towel underneath. I usually let it sit on soft grass and shoot the air into the bleed screw. The piston ends up in the towel on the ground. Seems quite safe this way, very quick, easy and way cleaner than the grease.

[Ernest T]

I use the air metnod and aim it down the driveway.  My record is 58'.