Mini Cooper, Caliper not retracting for changing brake pads. 2004?

A great site on what to do, or FAQ would be great. I don't want to spend the amount of cash they want to have it done.
Mini Cooper, Caliper not retracting for changing brake pads. 2004?
the caliper might have over extended and siezed up. you'd need to buy a new caliper if thats the case. just put a 2x4 across the caliper and tighten it with a c-clamp. if it doesnt tighten, its seized.
Mini Cooper, Caliper not retracting for changing brake pads. 2004?
Front or rear? The fronts should just push back in. Rear discs usually need to have the caliper screwed back in. There is a pretty inexpensive tool for this.
You need the caliper tool, that can be rented cheap from an automotive store. I had to get one to do my back brakes (NewBeetle), and then got my deposit back when I returned it. Great deal!

Some ppl use a C-clamp, but it's not exactly the proper tool and you need to really know what you're doing.
if its got 4 wheel disc brakes on it they don't push in they turn in ,that may be why you cant get them in,don't try and push those in if its on the rear or if it has cables going to it,they all turn in, if they have a cable going to them,the fronts should be like regular ones that may be the reason its doing this,good luck with it.
The front or rear, the rear caliper requires a special tool that can be purchased at any Auto parts store,you have to turn the piston and it will go back in.There is a bulletin on that car about the e-brake cable causing brakes to stick.The front should press in.I take a heavy screw driver and pry the piston back in with the caliper still on.Watch the master reservoir the fluid will push back up and spill over.Get some paper towels and soak out some fluid if it's to full,don't get it on your paint.
Brake calipers do not AUTOMATICALLY retract. They have to be compressed. The front brakes calipers can be compressed using C clamps (they are shaped like the letter C). The rear calipers (if you have rear disc brakes) need special clamps that twists while compressing the calipers. Don't get the cheap %26quot;cube%26quot; type that doesn't compress. It is too hard to use those.



Just make sure that when you compress the piston, the brake fluid reservoirr doesn't overflow (the fluid will pump back into the reservoi).
Are these rear or front brakes. Some rear brakes you have to screw them clockwise to go in. All front brakes you should be able to use a c clamp with push them in with no problem