Can't re-install brake calipers

[rbp911]

I have installed new rotors, disk brake pads and rebuilt the calipers on my 1985 Pininfarina Spider.
I cannot seat the front calipers far enough to slide the locking blocks back in. I can get the lower one
in but not the top one. It seems that I need only another 1/8th inch to get it down far enough to start the top locking block. This is on both front calipers. I have not even started to re-install the rear calipers. I pressed the pistons all the way in with a C-clamp.
What am I doing wrong?
Ron

[vandor]

Have you tried to leverage the caliper with a large screwdriver or small prybar? I will not slide in without some persuasion.

[garion]

And don't forget to lube!

(that's what she said).

[rbp911]

I HAVE TRIED USING A LARGE SCREWDRIVER AND EVEN USED A PRY-BAR. NO LUCK!
ALSO, EVEN WITHOUT THE TOP LOCKING BLOCK IN POSITION THE ROTOR WON'T TURN BECAUSE THE PADS
ARE SO TIGHT.
HELP!

[seabeelt]

First question to help out here, Where did you get the parts and are you sure they are the correct ones for your year spider?
r/

[azruss]

Some of the brake pads have a sheet metal shim on the back of the pad base as anti-squeal device. You will need to remove those to get the clearance you need. they can be removed with a putty knife.

[rbp911]

TO SEABEELT: I GOT THE PARTS FROM AUTO RICAMBI, (BRAKE PADS); INTERNATIONAL AUTO PARTS (ROTORS) AND MIDWEST BAYLESS (CALIPER REBUILD KITS). I CHECKED ROTOR DIAMETERS AGAINST THE ORIGINAL ONES, EVEN ROTOR THICKNESS WAS NEARLY THE SAME (ONBLY 30,000 MILES ON THE OLD ONES) I CALLED CHIAPA AT AUTO RICAMBI AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MORE THAN 1/10,000 INCH VARIANCE IN PAD THICKNESSES. I AM PRETTY SURE I HAVE ALL THE RIGHT PARTS.

TO AZRUSS: THERE IS NO SHIM.

[seabeelt]

Has the piston been pushed all the way in to be flush with the caliper body?

[bobplyler]

Make sure the spring on the end is under the caliper.

[rbp911]

TO ALL WHO HAVE OFFERED TO HELP ME WITH MY CALIPER PROBLEM, MY MANY THANKS.
IT TURN OUT THAT THE CALIPER SPRING WAS THE PROBLEM. CHIABA OF AUTO RICAMBI HAD ME TAKE A PICTURE
OF THE ASSEMBLY AND TEXT IT TO HIM. I HAD THE SPRING IN OVER THE CALIPER INSTEAD OF BEHIND IT.
THANKS TO ALL!
RON

[4uall]

post the pic

[fiat218]

Whew, all that yelling paid off