Brake Caliper Pistons - How Easy to push in?

[lawdogg]

Changed my front brakes on Friday - from 4 year old ebay rotors and pads to new carbotech slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads. It went alright except for pushing the pistons back up in the calipers - IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE!!! I opened the bleeder valve and everything, and struggled pushing them back up. I did not use a clamp of any kind, just my hands / a wrench handle. How hard is it for everyone else? I fear that I may be in need of new calipers ...

-Ryan

[jbavousett]

I used a big clamp on mine, it was easy enough without opening any bleeder valve, just tightened the clamp 'till the boots were flush in the caliper. I used a super cheap clamp from autozone. Never thought about using my hands...always used clamps or turning tools if the rear calipers were the screw type (these aren't, but my MR2's were). Given the amount of torque I had to apply to the clamp...I'd assume it would be a real bitch without it.

[Polygon]

I don't think you could push them in with your bare hands. I have always used a c-clamp to push the pistons in on calipers.

[lawdogg]

Alright this is good to know. Yeah, one or two went in by hand with a little grunt. I'll be sure to pick up a clamp for the next time I do them!

[etecnifibre]

I used my bare hands on all 4 of mine.

[slage]

Originally Posted by etecnifibre

I used my bare hands on all 4 of mine.

really? nice! lol


i've always used this brake tool from the local parts store. it was like $15. looks kinda like this except plastic and much simpler

[hemingwaygt]

etecnifibre - all 4 by hand? you must have farmer/sausage fingers - torque a bolt to 100lbs with your bare hands. I am impressed.

[bluemax_1]

Here's another way to do it (yeah using your bare hands can be a little tough).

When you remove one side of the used pads, you then have enough wiggle space to fit a prybar to against the other used pad to squeeze the pistons back in. Leave the cap open on the brake master cylinder though.


Max

[etecnifibre]

Originally Posted by slage

really? nice! lol


i've always used this brake tool from the local parts store. it was like $15. looks kinda like this except plastic and much simpler

I had the brake pads in place. Just pushed with my fingers. I was really quite surprised that they went back in. I had the cap off the brake fluid reservoir.

Originally Posted by hemingwaygt

etecnifibre - all 4 by hand? you must have farmer/sausage fingers - torque a bolt to 100lbs with your bare hands. I am impressed.

I didn't torque any bolts! They are talking about pushing the pistons back in.

[hemingwaygt]

Originally Posted by etecnifibre

I didn't torque any bolts! They are talking about pushing the pistons back in.

i realize they were talking about pushing the pistons - perhaps i reached too far in that pun about sausage fingers -

In the words of immortal foghorn leghorn "that's a joke son'