Do we still push the caliper pistons back in with a C-clamp when changing pads? That's the way I always did it, but does that cause some sort of problem on modern cars? I have a guy telling me that pushing the pistons back in never works anymore and you should just replace the whole caliper when you replace the pads
Re-using calipers when changing pads
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He must sell auto parts for a living.
Does the guy who told you that happen to be a caliper salesman?
The answer is no. That's absurd.
Don't know who the "guy" telling you this is, but he is full of it.
I think the logic was that the pistons have been sticking out for years and when you push them back in, the dirt or rust or whatever on the pistons won't seal anymore.
Either that or something to do with ABS/TCS systems.
I don't assume anything when it comes to modern cars. If somebody tells me you need to remove the engine and use a scan tool to change a lightbulb I would probably believe them.
Either that or something to do with ABS/TCS systems.
I don't assume anything when it comes to modern cars. If somebody tells me you need to remove the engine and use a scan tool to change a lightbulb I would probably believe them.
If your pistons are compromised by bad seals or if there is other damage then yes, obviously, but aside from that no. Just carefully push the piston(s) back in, or retract them w/ the proper tool, and go on.
You can use a C-clamp with no problem, except for rear calipers that run the parking brake off the rear pads. Those require a special tool, and they often fail and need replacement anyway.
But for all other calipers, the C-clap will still be fine. For two-piston calipers, retract each piston individually
But for all other calipers, the C-clap will still be fine. For two-piston calipers, retract each piston individually
If the gentleman was talking about rotors and misspoke with “calipers”, that’s true. It’s more common to replace the rotor with a brake job nowadays than to resurface/turn it and reuse. But the caliper always get reused unless there is evidence of malfunction that would prevent the caliper from operating properly when in use.
That’s crazy…
Now, personally, I prefer to crack open a bleeder when I push the pistons back, so that I’m not forcing contaminated fluid back through the ABS pump (very expensive on most cars).
I also flush the fluid with a pad change.
On some newer Fords, you need a special tool to retract the pistons as they’ve got threads on them but you certainly don’t need new calipers.
This is not a bright person.
"Never works anymore"? What does he mean?
I can't relate. I've never come across a caliper design where the pistons can't be pushed back in. Unless there is damage, such as torn boot, leaking seal, or broken bleeder screw, I can't think of a reason why a caliper needs replacement during regular brake service.
Is this guy just parroting something he heard from someone else, perhaps a parts salesman, without even knowing what reason he has to say it "never works anymore"?
I can't relate. I've never come across a caliper design where the pistons can't be pushed back in. Unless there is damage, such as torn boot, leaking seal, or broken bleeder screw, I can't think of a reason why a caliper needs replacement during regular brake service.
Is this guy just parroting something he heard from someone else, perhaps a parts salesman, without even knowing what reason he has to say it "never works anymore"?
Front calipers, yes, you push back the pistons with a C-clamp
rear calipers, depends on the parking brake situation:
a) Internal drum parking brake, which is not incorporated into the calipers: C-clamp
b) Internal caliper parking brake: these are the twist and push type, so using a C-clamp plus pliers can be difficult. You can buy a kit that does this (or the dreaded cube tool), which can also service the front calipers (use adapter with no pins)
c) electronic parking brake: use scan tool to retract parking brake. Then use C-clamp to push piston in. If c-clamp pushes on plastic housing of parking brake motor, use kit above with adapter with no-pins.
4-piston, 6-piston calipers, etc front calipers: can't get a C-clamp in there. Same with 2-piston rear calipers
As other said, no there's no reason to replace calipers unless they are leaky, extremely corroded or other. C-Clamps work just fine to compress the pistons, except for, again as others said, rears. Some cars require a special tool to turn the rear piston as it's compressed, but those I believe are fairly cheap on amazon. And some cars like VW have electronic parking brakes and there's usually a service mode you can activate using VCDS or other software.
VW's also require you to attach a battery charger to retract the rear parking brake.
Well, now you've got a dilemma - being told you 'need' to replace the calipers every time you do brakes vs being told "no, you don't". What are you going to do ?
I always crack open the bleeder before pushing back the piston.
Then I thoroughly bleed the system with new fluid, about a liter per end.
Then I thoroughly bleed the system with new fluid, about a liter per end.
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This is reasonable. Plus brakes can be a big liability so you don't want to send a customer off with a leaking piston seal. Now the guy that was telling you this doesn't seem to know WHY he's telling it to you. Calipers have had the same basic design for decades so it doesn't seem to be anything new, although your last point is valid too. Vehicles have become so complicated, and at the same time the engineers seem to be a bit nutty.
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