Brake piston/caliper help!!

.....oh Lord....ever started one of those jobs that you wish you never started?
My brake discs needed replacing as they have been on there since 1987!
My patience has really been tested today as it took nearly 5 hours to remove one disc! I tried WD40, a hammer, heat....it would not budge. Finally dislodged it nearly 5 hours later!

My problem is getting the rear brake piston retracted into the caliper so it'll slip over the new pads.
It says in the Haynes manual to rotate piston clockwise to make it retract. Has anyone any experience on doing this and the best way to it?
I understand that the groove has to be lined up to accomodate the lug on the back of the pad.
I just can't seem to turn the pistion to retract it.

Gaz.

Your piston may be a bit seized in position.
You will need to get a piece of metal just the right size to fit in the slot on the caliper piston.
I found an old file with the handle removed fitted nicely.
Then you can get enough leverage to wind it back in to get over the pads.

It's important to make sure when fitting the new pads back on that the small wedge pieces are nicely greased to allow good sliding movement.

For your next disc removal I would get heat on there from the start. Get it nicely warmed up then try persuading it with a hammer.

…..thanks Andy.
I’m glad I sussed out that the rear pistons need to be wound back in and not just pushed in.
Is it due to the design of an emergency braking system so they don’t lock up?
Going to have another go tomorrow as I just ran out of steam today!

Gaz.

I use a set of mole grips on the piston and turn them in, always works.

.....thanks Cam.....might be an option if the other fails.

Cheers,

Gaz.

.....Holy crap!......my X1/9 has been fighting me the whole weekend!....I've never known anything like it!
After the first rear disc took nearly 5 hours to remove, the second put up a similar fight.
A mixture of WD40, heat and a lump hammer eventually popped it off.

I found that gripping the caliper with my oil filter spanner let me get hold of it. A flat head screw driver then turned the piston.
For anyone else doing this, it does feel like you are turning and turning for ages and nothing is happening but keep turning....it does take a while.

Both rear discs replaced with the uprated EBC discs from EurosportUK along with pads.
Taken it for a spin and I can already feel a big difference.....just the front now!

Gaz.