Caliper piston push back tool?

[53' Stude]

What do you folks to push the caliper piston back in on vehicles? I use a c clamp or a craftsman push back tool I had for ages. Wondering what you use for ones that are reverse winding like Ford transit cans use.


Thank You

 

[1uz_4me]

You can rent the tool for the rear. I've also seen a universal cube with different spacing on each side to bite in to the piston. I've also seen kits for sale for less than $50 & they'd service multiple different makes with the adapters it contains

 

[Kira]

How can you tell if they simply push back or need to be rotated?

 

[JeffKeryk]

For the fronts my big channel locks against an old pad is my go to; I also have the Cheapo Spreader.
For the Honda twist backs, a kit would be nice, but I have free rented the OReilly kit.
Last time I just took my pickle fork and twisted them back.

 

[Gimpy1]

How can you tell if they simply push back or need to be rotated?

The ones that need to be rotated and pushed in will have some indents on the caliper piston where the tool will fit in like a key. They are mostly found on rearbrakes with an intergrated parking brake.

 

[JeffKeryk]

How can you tell if they simply push back or need to be rotated?

The twist pistons have cross slots. Or Youtube the vehicle in question.

 

[GSCJR]

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dis...l-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Set-(Blue-Point)/YA8610B

 

[AutoMechanic]

I use this on the regular. The twist style I use that square tool that you put on the end of a ratchet or extension.

 

[K-Man]

The universal cubes were fairly cheap at the auto parts store. On my old Taurus wagon (then at 190,000 miles, original rear brakes), the rear caliper pistons would not retract with that tool no matter how much I turned it, so I ended up replacing both rear calipers. Those were fairly cheap, ~$50 each, so you might consider just replacing the rear calipers.

 

[Timmastertech]

https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/brakes/disc-brake-pad-spreader https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/brakes/dual-piston-brake-caliper-compressor https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/brakes/quick-quad-pad-spreader https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/brakes/combination-disc-brake-kit http://corporate.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products/CTGBC18-%2d-18-Piece-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Set.html Depends on the caliper. Those are the tools I use most

 

[partspro]

many mechanics that i know, release the bleed valve, so they do not push dirty fluid back through the ABS. if you don't borrow the tool, i always used a c-clamp pressed against an old pad to prevent piston damage. Phenolic pistons can be easily damaged.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

SS C-Clamp.

 

[SHOZ]

I love my Brembos. Needle nose and big screwdriver. Takes longer to take the tire off and put back on than swap pads.

 

[spasm3]

Thread on windback tools here.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/brake-caliper-piston-windback-tool.341788/#post-5784322

I have this one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YC7TZ9Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[tcp71]

I bought a wind back kit on Amazon for $35 for the Mazda. A C clamp won’t work because they have a thread for the parking brake. C clamp is fine for the fronts.

 

[Motu]

View attachment 59498
I use this on the regular. The twist style I use that square tool that you put on the end of a ratchet or extension.

Why would you use the stupid cube when the tool you have does a better job ?

 

[AutoMechanic]

Why would you use the stupid cube when the tool you have does a better job ?

I didn’t know this one would work on the spin back type. . So it does work for them? Because I hate the cube.

 

[Timmastertech]

I used the cube for a lot of years. Works most of the time but can be a little annoying on some calipers. I bought the bigger sets because Volvo and MINI went to a piston with 3 slots in it that I couldnt push back with the cube

 

[mk378]

On front brakes apply large C clamp before taking anything apart, or before taking anything apart pry between the old pad and the rotor (if you're also replacing rotors)

 

[sdowney717]

C clamp, and sometimes you can wedge caliper back with it still on the car using a screwdriver or prybar.