Replacing Rear Brakes requires special tool?

[MDMaz3]

I'm replacing my brakes this weekend, do I need to rent or buy a tool to compress the rear brake piston? Where do most of you DIY's get it from? I think I can get away with doing the fronts with just a C-clamp. Any input would be appreciated.

[ryan2.3]

needle nose pliers and you can push and twist

or you can try the little cube from princess auto.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Steering-And-Suspension/Disc-Brake-Piston-Tool/2990062.p

although this used to be $4, $9 seems a bit much... try the pliers first

[peterm15]

Pliers work fine unless your caliper is sticking. Just twist and push.

[sudz]

Sometimes a C-Clamp will get in there too if you've got too much resistance for pushing with pliers/socket/stick, However, make sure its going back in STRAIGHT. If it goes in cock-eyed it'll be difficult. (which is also what she said)

[peterm15]

This is for rear pistons. It needs to be turned and pushed. C clamp will not work.

[eqlso]

You can rent it from Canadian Tire for free. Ask the auto department. I believe you put a $99 deposit, and get a few days, and you get it refunded when you return it.

[peterm15]

CT charges you full price for the tool. Keep it as long as you like and return for a full refund.

Although I haven't had luck finding a rental of this tool. You may have better luck.

[MDMaz3]

Pliers work fine unless your caliper is sticking. Just twist and push. So, if my caliper or piston is sticking, is there a way to lube it? Or....time for a new caliper? Also BTW, my rear rim is slightly bent, would that screw up my rear rotor or affect the pads wearing unevenly? I notice squeak when I spin the wheel when it's off the ground. I'm going to be replacing that wheel soon anyway....was looking for 1 but got a set instead.

[peterm15]

The bend shouldn't affect anything brake wise.

If its sticking youll just need way more force. I used a bit of PB and freed it up without further issue. Just needed 2 sets of hands.

If its REALLY stiff loosen the bleeder valve. Then push. Makes it a ton easier but youll need to bleed after I assume. I personally didn't need to bleed although I did anyways.

[MDMaz3]

The bend shouldn't affect anything brake wise.

If its sticking youll just need way more force. I used a bit of PB and freed it up without further issue. Just needed 2 sets of hands.

If its REALLY stiff loosen the bleeder valve. Then push. Makes it a ton easier but youll need to bleed after I assume. I personally didn't need to bleed although I did anyways. I'm too chickenshyte to bleed. Will try without first. I've watched Youtube vids on it and just can't seem to get myself to try, might even need 2 people to do it...just a little to much to risk for an Accountant doing substantial brakework. I've done brake replacement before on my 95 Impala SS but piston's went back smoothly sans the bleeding....

[peterm15]

Ya. Its the twist and push that can make it tough. But still pretty simple.

[nepal1344]

I have to twist mine in and out a few times to get them to move all the way back. A lot of force is needed to get mine to move back.

[SomeGuy]

Get the tool...needle nose sometimes works but it takes a lot more muscle than you'll expect. The tool makes it easy. C-Clamp will not work.

The little cube I hear does not work either, doesn't have the right sizes.

Part Source and Canadian Tire both do loan a tool at the auto parts desk or just buy a set...this is the one I've got:

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Steering-And-Suspension/18-pc-Master-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Set/8354060.p

Also, don't be shy because you're an accountant. I'm a software developer and can do it :)

[sudz]

... C Clamp worked for me...

[SomeGuy]

... C Clamp worked for me...

On your rears? It shouldn't work, the piston needs to rotate as you compress. Does your parking brake work? Do you have a C Clamp without a swivel?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

C clamp won't work on the rears.

I beleive if you remove the cap from your reservoir it will compress easier.

[wmzda5]

C clamp with swivel works, just position in a way you can access with needle nose plier. you need to turn and compress slowly at the same time or alternating.

[Lumberjack]

I bought a whole kit from PA and it is much better than the cube. I don't see it online but it was on sale for about $40. You can rent the tool from some CT's (not all) and Parts source but if you are going to do your rear brakes again I would just buy it. You can try and use pliers but it is not worth the effort IMO. If you were in Ottawa I have a spare kit I would sell.

this might be the kit I bought http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Steering-And-Suspension/Brake-Caliper-Tool-Set/8311722.p

[Nikhil Pali]

I tried using pliers when doing my brakes, but it was too hard. So I went to CT and rented the kit from them. Its absolutely free and I was done with my rear brakes in less than 30mins.

[htc***]

Just buy this set for future use for any cars


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519T7j%2B3zFL.jpg



http://www.amazon.ca/Astro-Pneumatic-78618-Brake-Caliper/dp/B002RDGMNM/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1404999896&sr=1-1&keywords=Brake+Caliper+Tool+Set

[SomeGuy]

^^ that's a good deal...sometimes this goes on for around $35-40 as an alternative.

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Steering-And-Suspension/18-pc-Master-Brake-Caliper-Tool-Set/8354060.p

[ryan2.3]

^ that one i found on amazon for $37, which after seeing the PA price, seems like a steal. i think im going to grab one.

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-78618-Caliper-Tool/dp/B002RDGMNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405009405&sr=8-1&keywords=brake+caliper+tool

[htc***]

^ that one i found on amazon for $37, which after seeing the PA price, seems like a steal. i think im going to grab one.

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-78618-Caliper-Tool/dp/B002RDGMNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405009405&sr=8-1&keywords=brake+caliper+tool


You live in US then buy it from Amazon US (US $37) which is cheaper than Amazon CA (CA $52.09) but we live in CA then we have to buy in Amazon CA which have free shipping when order over $25. .