I switch brake pads before and after every track events. I have been using my fingers and a clamp to compress the piston. My street pads are still very thick, so I didn't have to push the piston too much. However, last time I almost snapped a finger joint. I am looking for a compression tool to make this process easier and faster. I couldn't find any tool for 3 pistons.

What too do you use? and recommendations?

 

This is the only one I found that actually works. It claims to handle the 6 piston Brembos but I would double check the measurements. I know it works on the 4 piston units for sure. It is a HEAVY duty tool.

https://californiatoolsandequipment....=7213037649964

I didn't buy it from the link above, that is just the first site I found that has the correct tool.

 

^^ Thanks.

I was looking at this, and I wasn't sure whether the blade fit between the rotor and the pistons. I want to be able to push back the piston without removing the caliper.

It doesn't look it is wide enough for the 6 pistons. Is it safe to push on piston at a time?

 

 

When you push on one piston only it normally forces the others back out which is why you need a big, wide tool. Almost every other tool I found was too small for my oversized 4 piston brakes. I found this when I upgraded to bigger Akebono calipers on my Nissan 350Z track car. This tool works fine on my C7 Z51 4 piston brakes and my brothers Porsche Boxstes GTS brakes as well.

You need to push the pistons back enough to get the pads to slide out. I can sometimes get the tool in their with enough leverage on the mounting tabs (where the pins go thru) to move them that little bit. Once the pads are out this tool drops in between the rotor and caliper no problem (is about as thick as the backing plates on the pads) and few twists of the handle will press all the pistons back into the calipers with ease. It even has a hex end on so you can put a socket wrench on it. The chrome handle is removable, there is just has a small rubber o-ring that keeps in place. The nut on the opposite end someones gets a touch lose if your really putting some pressure on it, but that is only fault I've found with... well other then its a big heavy thing. The C7's wheel wells seem plenty big enough (given that 19" wheels fit) because on my Nissan the fronts were tight with the oversized brake setup I ran.

 

I use that tool all the time. Have used it since 2009. It works just fine and it will work with 4 pistons at a time. I usually depress 4 at the top and then slide down and do the bottom two while still pushing on the middle 2. Sometimes the pistons that weren't being pushed on will push out a little but most of the time they stay in place. Just watch what is happening instead of watching a TV while twisting the handle. Have never pushed a piston out while using the tool.

Bill

 

On a steel rotor car you can just shove a screw driver or pry tool down in the caliper and use the pad to compress back against the pistons

 

A lot of times that digs up the pads and may ruin them for reuse. When changing pads from street to track and back you don't want to ruin your pads by getting too aggressive with a screwdriver.

Bill

 

This one looks neat.


Bill?

 

I have one of those and find it to be a PITA 99% of the time. You need to use old pads to spread the pistons with something like that.

The best caliper piston tool I own is from Girodisc, but is also ridiculously large and expensive.

 

Towel, pair of channel locks on the pad backing plate.

 

Ouch .. $225.

I think Ill stick to a microfiber towel and a small pry bar.

 

find a set of worn out pads,,
then finish getting off any left over material,
then buy that tool and using the old stripped pads push out the pistons,then slide in the new/diff pads