Front Brakes - Anyone done them? Tricky?

[turbotaguy]

I need to replace the front brakes on my car. The dealer gave them a "red" during my last oil change (have 51,000 miles).

Has anyone done a front brake job on the Five Hundred / Freestyle? Is it tricky? My main concern is knowing exactly how the piston is retracted when the new pads are installed. Sometimes you can just compress them with a C-clamp, other times there is a special tool, etc.

I'd appreciate the input.

[500on22's]

i had to change the rear brakes on my five hundred, and for the logest time i thought the were push type, but all in all they are screw type so u can get a special tool for a auto parts store or u can use needle nose pliers.

[jonmark1985]

The special tool you guys are talking about is for rear disk brakes. The pads hold against the rotor for the parking brake. In order to do this a locking mechanism holds the piston from turning and retracting into the caliper. When the parking brake is applied this lock is engaged. These pistons will not simply press back in the caliper, they need to be twisted back into the caliper.

Some rear disk brake models have a drum built into the rotor and uses shoes to keep the wheels from turning. These models don't have a piston that turns and usually the piston can be simply pressed back into the caliper.

Front calipers won't have these features. Hope that resolves any confusion.