BQuicksilver

Edit: I'm talking about C5 front calipers mainly here, just to keep on track.

Just curious as to what your preferred method for compressing those brake pistons back in is when finishing brake work. Sometimes the fronts can be a bit pesky, and I mess with them so often I'd just like to have a good tool to get things done faster.

Right now I just use an oil filter wrench, but it only compressed on at a time which doesn't help much on the front, and it can scuff the piston tips if I'm not careful.



I also have one of these but really don't care much for it since on the front the threaded portion is off to one side even if you're using an old pad as pictured.



Does anyone have a favorite tool here and why?

the blur

BIG channel locks.

EvilBoffin

Same here. But I'd love to find a better option...

Miaugi

I use this tool. On the fronts I use an old pad and run it down on one side which also compresses the other piston somewhat, and then move the tool to the not complete piston and run it down again and that usually gets both pistons totally seated into the caliper with no problems.

blue Z06+

I use a large C clamp while the calipers are still on the car. On the front I do move it from side to side but with the caliper secured on the car it is not a problem. I went racing this past week and changed pads on several cars. It was easy.

klasik-69

If we're talking C6Z06, I also use C-clamps. On the fronts, I pull the caliper off, and use six C-clamps. The swivel bases don't damage the painted caliper surface. That other tool shown is ok for regular cars with single pads, and probably works ok on the regular C6. It won't work very well on the Z with the 6 piston set up.

Aardwolf

I use a small chunk of 2x4! I have the C5 front calipers and the wood fits in there well, I press it back against the piston and it really doesn't take much force to retract the piston. The wood will not damage anything either if your worried about paint etc. I also use the chunk to sit the caliper on top of my jack stand.

TeamZ06

for a single piston sliding caliper a c-clamp is fine, the equivalent cheap brake tool you can buy at almost any parts store works great too

for a multi-piston fixed caliper I got a great pad/piston spreading tool from Mazda Motorsports for only $29, get's 'er done .... basically two paddle extensions on a threaded rod. One paddle is fixed and swivels on one end, the other moves in/out when turning the threaded rod. Close them up, insert between pads, turn the threaded rod end and it spreads them out easily pushing all the pistons in simultaneously. Might be a standard Mazda tool you can through the dealer, otherwise I'm not sure where you can get it unless you're a Mazda Motorsports racer: part#0000-09-0216 The full retail price is $46

I'll try to get a pic, might be easily made if your handy with the right tools and materials

aggie_corvette

Old flathead screwdriver.

work it in between the pad and rotor (while still on car) then bend side to side to compress the pistons. (don't bend the screwdriver!!!)

For my fixed calipers do one side then the other. The completed side will not move back out.

If you plan to use the pads again you just have to be careful not to chunk off the bits of the pad.



been doing this on all my cars for 15yrs...

96CollectorSport

On BBK's or C6Zs I use one of these,

They are made by Blue Point (Snap-On) and are around $50.

For standard C5-C6 calipers I just put a couple of lugs on the rotor and grab the back of the caliper and pull it toward me, no tools needed. I did buy the piston return tool that has a pistol grip but I find the other way works fine.

mousecatcher

for my c6z i just squeeze them in with my fingers. no tools required.

BEZ06

For my C6Z, I remove the calipers and to push the pistons in I use this ratchet bar clamp:





Bob

burners

1. Hands, 2. channel locks, 3. c-clamp. In that order and depending on stubbornness of the pistons. Also, it is generally not recommended to push the fluid back through the system. Instead bleed the pressure and volume off at the caliper with the bleeder screw as you compress the piston. This avoids possibly forcing debris back into the ABS valve work.

BQuicksilver

Thanks for the replies.

I think we can all agree that about everything works fine on the rears. It's the fronts that don't always go in as easily, esp with new pads when you really need to get the pistons back.

I'm just looking to make this process more efficient. Preferably something that isn't a game of pushing one piston in, then the other, and maybe repeat with the first.

John Shiels

two thumbs

redtopz

That's what I use too. I keep the old pads in and center the bar clamp on the outside pad and compress both pistons at the same time. Works great.

burners

If you crack the bleeder that won't happen and/or use the brake pad to push both pistons at the same time. I'm used to dealing with 4 pistons total (2 per side) in the caliper on my C3. I just use the pad and my hands.

UstaB-GS549

I use a heel bar. Rears are super easy. Fronts need a little finesse to catch an edge of the pad at first.

WNeal

Same here

Sidney004

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...&gobutton.y=11