brake newb

[Jerobi]

So I removed my rear wheel to have the tire replaced and as I try to put the wheel back on, the caliper would not fit onto the rotor. The brakes must have been pumped while the wheel was off and now I can't figure out how to get them back open. Please help!

[Steel Toed Tank]

pry the pads apart gently enough with a screw driver, if the piston popped out then that won't work.

[cowboyup3371]

You can use a screwdriver and slowly pry them back apart or simply bleed off some of the fluid.

Have you gone through your brake system since you bought the bike though and made sure everything was cleaned properly?

[Jerobi]

The pads are pressed together so there's nothing I can get between there

[Jerobi]

No I've never been through the brakes, guess its time to learn.

[cowboyup3371]

I'll be willing to bet the return port in your MC is clogged at the very least causing your brake system to lock up on you. Be glad it happened now and not on the road. So, please go and read this article on Basscliff's site about rebuilding the front MC http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...-ends.html#A02

The procedure is pretty close to similar for the rear and needs to be done on brake systems you don't know. If you have questions, search for master cylinder rebuild as there are dozens of threads about it on here.

[Jerobi]

Much obliged. Gonna go thru and clean the MC tonight when I get off work. Looks like it might have been leaking.