Hi, was doing some research on brake repairs and found that various people said that you need a special tool to push the caliper back in. My question is, must i use this special tool, or is a c-clamp or large pliers ok to push the caliper back in, provided i provide an even force accross the caliper?

hope i'm making sense here.... if not, please let me know.

 

what you are tying to do is push the brake cylinder/puck back into the brake assembly. Attach a hose to the brake bleeder value when you push the puck back into the unit. This allows you to displaced the fliud out of the assembly. DO NOT let the brake fliud touch anything.
If you leave the brake unit on the car, when pushing the puck I have left the outer pad in place, wrapped a large screwdriver with duct tape to protect the rotor .
opened the bleed port and pushed the puck. Take it slow and with even pressure, the puck should go back into the unit until it is flush with the hosing.
The brake tool is about $10.00 at autozone.

cb questions ?

 

The rear caliper piston has to be turned while pressing it in. There is a tool to do this but I have heard of many folks using needle nose pliers to turn it.

If there is an Auto Zone near you, you can borrow the tool for free.

The front pistons simply press in. I use a C-clamp or a bar clamp.
Stan

 

Thanks cb and AutoNaut for the responses. I plan to do my own general maintenance in the future, so i mind as well get the tool.

Cheers!

 

They are pretty cheap to buy. I have this one by Astro Pneumatics. Here it is at Amazon but you might find it cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...DW238RHNCE2999

Stan