Nissan Repair: Rear Brake Caliper: retracting, nissan altima gle, rear brake caliper

Question
Hi,

Car: Nissan Altima GLE 1993

I am installing new brake pads for the rear wheels.  The calipers are screw type.  I have attempted to retract the right caliper to increase the space for the new pads and rotor combined width.  The caliper only seems to retract so far, without creating enough room.  I have turned the right caliper piston about 15 full rotations.

How far should the caliper retract?  

How many full clockwise rotations are necessary to see a change?

Does the parking brake cable need to be removed?

Thanks.

Mike

Answer
Go to Autozone, Pepboys or the like and get a piston compression tool.  It will allow pressure to be put on the piston while you rotate it clockwise.  You will feel the stop when the piston gets fully retracted.  They go for about $20 bucks for a good tool and they are really worth it.  I have seen people stress with needle nose plyers and such and that just takes too long.  Oh, remember that the piston needs to line up with the pins on the back of the pad.  Straight up and down.