I'm changing my brakes and rotors, and noticed that these pin tubes are pushed in and not flush, and won't budge (ignore the new pads, I took them out after photo). The pins themselves slide back and forth relatively easy, but even they wont come out of the tubes. I have new ones ready to go. I tried tapping them with a hammer, nothing....... and I didn't want to bash them hard until I came here first for advice. After watching a couple videos on youtube, I saw a guy heat the whole caliper pin area with a blowtorch to get his out. Is that really what I might need to do?

They can slightly twist back and forth a little but they're spongy. They wont budge going in or out at all with medium hammer taps.

Anyone know a secret?

Thanks

 

Drive them out with a hammer and a drift. (something brass preferably, steel might deform them.) Worst case, use a punch in the hollowed out center of the bolt to drive them out. Don't heat them, there are rubber/plastic parts in there too, and heat will destroy them. They can be a pain, but, they will come out. You might end up driving the bolts out of the guides, no big deal, just drive the guides out too.

Once you have them out, clean them REALLY well, apply lube LIBERALLY, and stick 'em back in. They should move in/out without a whole lot of effort.

 

...or get new calipers! I'm on my second set.

 

That's works pretty good too. A bit more expensive, but, a LOT less frustrating.

 

Yeah, I ended up just getting new calipers. I'm in texas, and since I'm a walking buffet for mosquitos, and hate heat, I'm taking the easy route!!!

another question now....when I bleed my new front calipers, do I have to bleed the rear drum brakes too?

 

I would recommend it. Gives you the opportunity to get all the old fluid out.

 

No, I didn't but if you want to flush with new fluid then yes.