Nissan Repair: Rear Calipers 2001 Sentra SE 2.0, hand brakes, calliper

Question
Hello again Calvin,
Jus a general question this time.  I was freeing a seized calliper pin on my rear calliper and went to push the piston back in with a C-Clamp. Upon doing this I found that the piston had limited movement.  If I would have been replacing the pads they would have never went on.  This happened a few years ago and I replaced both rear callipers.  In telling a friend about this I was told that some pistons need to be screwed back in??? If true, the old ones were probably okay.  Is this true of rear callipers for 2001 Sentra ?  Seems likely seeing how the one I'm working with is only two years old.  Anyway, I just wanted to know for future work on my brakes.  



Thanks much,

Tim

Answer
Hi Tim -

Yes, your friend is correct. On the older model vehicles, the rear calipers are also the hand brakes when you pull the lever, so it is made a little differently.

If you would like to retract the pistons, it has to be screwed in. You can tell the type if the piston has a cross, or 2 holes in it instead of just the cup type. There is a special tool for this, at any auto store, but I usually do it with a channel lock or 2 screwdrivers and a plier. Just gotta be careful not to damage the dust boot.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin