[swede]

Has anybody had any experience changing the rear brake pads on the 9-3 SS.
I am wondering how to retract the caliper piston. It does not retract by simple compression so I am wondering if you need a special tool to do it. I know some brakes require you to apply pressure to the piston while turning it.

 

[ctrlz]

You need to turn it in. There is a special Saab spanner tool for this, but others have made do with pliers held open or something similar.

 

[schernov]

You need to turn it in. There is a special Saab spanner tool for this, but others have made do with pliers held open or something similar.

Autozone has a caliper tool. It is 6 bucks or somthing like that. It works on other cars too.

 

[ctrlz]

Autozone has a caliper tool. It is 6 bucks or somthing like that. It works on other cars too.

By "caliper tool" do you mean a disc brake pad spreader, which is basically a press.

I believe the caliper piston has two notches. You grab these with a tool and twist the piston in. Pushing it with a C-clamp or pad spreader won't do it.

 

[swede]

piston retraction

There are two circular dimples on the piston. Do you simply turn it in with the spanner tool or do you need to turn and compress at the same time. I think the Volvo S-60 brakes were this way.

 

[ctrlz]

There are two circular dimples on the piston. Do you simply turn it in with the spanner tool or do you need to turn and compress at the same time. I think the Volvo S-60 brakes were this way.

It's a screw. You just turn it.

Of course you do this once you've popped the cap off the master cylinder.

 

[jpk]

Get yourself one of these. It fits in a 3/8 inch socket, and has all of the pin size/shape combinations. Shouldn't be more than a few bucks (I've had this one for years...)

 

[Frosty288]

So i'm turning the piston, but it's not retracting. It seems like it's just spinning.

Ctrlz, you have to pop the cap off the master cylinder?

We've removed the cap, the piston won't screw back in. Screws out with relatively no problem at all. But it just spins when we turn in clockwise.

 

[epsilon93]

I think you have to push while turning it.

 

[Frosty288]

I think you have to push while turning it.

And you do. We had to get the tool from auto zone, what a pita!

But it's done now. So, next time we go to do it we'll know whats up and it will take less than half the time!

 

[Ridenbaugh]

If you go to autozone you can rent the tool below for free. All you do is put a deposit down and once you bring it back you get all of your money back. It can be used for pushed in pistons or screw in ones.... don't bother using this kit on the front though the calipers are to big I tried. Good Luck!!

 

[silenus]

None of the attachments from the Autozone kit fit perfectly for me, however I was able to make do using the tool minus any attachment, it doesn't quite fit right and occasionaly the tool pops out from the two "dimples" but eventually I was able to get it.

 

[wshtb]

I did the rear brakes with rental tool from Autozone. Pretty easy to do. The key is to apply pressure and turn at the same time.

 

[Paul_Amaranth]

Harbor Freight is selling a kit like that for $20. They have another one that is supposed to have a Saab adapter for $40 if you want one hanging around. I used the Autozone kit mentioned in the sticky, but made up an adapter to fit the Saab.