I was told that you need the tool that turns that caliper back in that it has to turn to go back in that it will not jusy compress back in straight that it has to turn is this true or will it compress straight back in? I don' want to mess anything up.

 

you need to be able to grab the piston in the caliper to turn it while pushing it back. You may be able to use some channel locks but its easier with a tool (easy to find and not that expensive)

 

I recently fitted new brake pads to the front of my own 2002 V40.
To retract the caliper pistons I simply used a small 'G' clamp and ensuring it was fitted centrally against the face of the piston before winding in the clamp to avoid potentially damaging the rubber boot visible around the pistons circumference..
It worked a treat, in fact more easily than I was expecting.
The calipers fitted to the vehicle were 'Lucas' but I have read somewhere that some models were fitted with an alternative manufacturers units.

 

good old fashion C clamp, don't over think it lol

 

You do need a special tool to push back the piston on the rears. They have to be rotated back in. Luckily you can rent the tool easily. I was able to rent it free from Autozone. You actually buy it and have 90 days to return for full refund. That's how their rental program works. The tool has many different heads to fit various calipers. You won't need the adapters, the standard head will fit. There are two pins which stick out which fit into your piston. Get that part flush against the piston and the backer plate against the other side of the caliper. Then turn. It might start slow, but in a few turns you will have screwed the piston back far enough. Using the tool is far easier than trying to do it with a C clamp and trying to twist it. If you want to buy the tool it is only $15 on Amazon, buy why not rent it for free?

 

The whole idea of the tool loaner program (it is not a rental agreement) is to get you in the store. Whether you choose to buy one or not depends on the individual. For me, I bought one years ago and mainly used them on Lincoln Mark VIII and Continentals. Volvos typically do not need the tool.

Let's say that your store is 7 miles away and you need to make one trip to get it and another to return it. That's 28 miles of driving or about $3.00 to $4.00 of total cost of gas.

So, if you use the tool for "free", it costs you about $4.00 and you have nothing in your tool box. If you buy the tool, you spend another $11.00 and never have to go chase it again.

Also, the time to go and get the tool and return it is probably double the time to change the brake pads.

Definitely not free.