Brake caliper piston tool
 

Can I use the usual parts house disc brake caliper compressor tool on my C-6 Z-51?

just use a small c-clamp...

Had the rears apart on mine yesterday,small vise grip c clamp worked well

C-Clamp with old pads. Turn the pads around so the pad material is against the piston(s) and use the C-Clamp to push them back (make sure your brake reservoir cap is off and you remove a bit of fluid from it or it may overflow. Use a C-Clamp like in the photo I've attached (I probably bought it at Home Depot).
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...32871c1f77.jpg

the C clamp is on the floor.

To actually answer your question, yes.

:iagree: That is what I have used for years.

I noticed you're installing vented rotors. Is yours a Z51 also? I've got to get some rotors/pads. I can go with the OEM, ACDelco, or was looking at Centric rotors which appear to be good quality and are at a decent price. What route did you go? What pads did you go with?

Drilled rotors and ceramic pads from Auto Zone. $400.00 for all 4 corners

Do you remember the brand name on the parts or were they just AutoZone? How did they work out? Satisfied?

Do you remember the brand name on your pads and rotors? What do you think about them? Did they work out okay? How long ago did you do the brake job?

Duralast Gold pads. Rotors, not sure. They looked and weighed the same as the stock parts.
Both work very well for street driving

Im running Centric high carbon rotors(non drilled or slotted) along with Powerstop Z26 pads on my 2011 GS. There is an initial amount of brake squeal when I first start out, but as soon as they warm up after 1 or 2 stops its good to go and I dont hear it again.

I think I have $380 into my setup on the GS, and I believe the Z51 stuff should be slightly cheaper. Rockauto was where I got mine from.