Retract the rear caliper piston by rotating it clockwise with the proper tool until it bottoms out, avoiding damage to the caliper or dust boot. After installing the pads, drive the car and repeatedly apply the parking brake while stopped until the pedal feels tight, since the brakes are self-adjusting.
The owner of a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina asked how far and in which direction to rotate the rear caliper piston when retracting it for brake pad replacement. The expert said to rotate it clockwise with the correct tool until it bottoms out, warning that the wrong method can damage the caliper or piston dust boot. After installation, the self-adjusting brakes can be tightened by driving and repeatedly applying the parking brake while stopped until the pedal feels firm.
