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i usually use the old pads and a c-clamp. one end on the old pad and one on the back of the caliper and just tighten it up so it compress the piston back into the caliper.
I bought a brake caliper spreader from Mid-America for $30. Best money ever spent. After 3 brake pad changes, I was sick of just "muscling" it in. This makes it EASY AS CAKE!
I'm sure you can get it cheaper elsewhere, but I was buying a bunch of other stuff, so oh well.
....i usually pop the covers on the brake master cylinder as well as open the bleeder screw on the caliper(s) you are working on...
...i have heard that pushing the fluid back into the abs pump could damage it..now, i do not know if that is factual but, why take the chance if you are wrong and not open the bleeder and do some damage to the abs "internals"....