Hanging brake calipers ?

[jc5205]

When doing a brake job how do you hang up the calipers ?
I normally set them on a milk crate or use a bungee cord
I see OTC makes a hanger does anyone use that ?

 

[wild cowboy]

I just use a big magnet for iron calipers - like a welding magnet

 

[jc5205]

Never thought of that...

 

[3baygarage]

Cut up pieces of coat hanger in the tool box. I bend them as needed for the job.

 

[jc5205]

Yeah hangers are a handy tool

 

[gigamel]

Bicycle spoke - extremely strong and can be bend without breaking - to fit any situation.

 

[michael murder]

Baling wire

 

[jc5205]

That's even better than a hanger, but I think my wife will notice if I take a spoke vs a hanger

 

[Mr. T]

Zip ties

 

[jc5205]

What's bailing wire ? & don't say for bailing

 

[jc5205]

Like the zip tie

 

[exmaxima1]

I've used a bungee cord for many years with no issues

 

[jc5205]

The short rubber bungee works for me too, now only if my kids would quit taking that size
Reminds me I've got to buy a couple more

 

[jc5205]

The reason I'm asking this , I didn't know if the pros use something special tool

 

[michael murder]

What's bailing wire ? & don't say for bailing

It probably did originate for baling but it's kind of like duct tape in that you can use it for all sorts of things, usually tying and holding stuff in place. It's sometimes called mechanic's wire.

 

[jc5205]

I use a small pad compressor or c clamp to compress the pads
I see they make a tool for that that looks like a caulk gun

 

[jc5205]

It probably did originate for baling but it's kind of like duct tape in that you can use it for all sorts of things, usually tying and holding stuff in place. It's sometimes called mechanic's wire.

Then do you just throw out the wire after you use it or put it in your box for next time

 

[michael murder]

Then do you just throw out the wire after you use it or put it in your box for next time

I re-use it but if you do a lot of tight bends it will eventually weaken and break. Kind of a replace as needed sort of deal.

It's definitely worth getting a spool and putting it in the toolbox.

I had a rusted out exhaust hanger break and I was dragging my entire exhaust system down the highway. Having some baling wire really saved my bacon.

 

[jc5205]

I'm going to get some
My wife use picture wire a bit, maybe she's teaching me a thing or too

 

[jc5205]

Tractor supply ?

 

[DWise]

I use a couple of different lengths of 1/8" brass brazing rod.

 

[jc5205]

Brazing rod is basically the same as the OTC hangers great idea

 

[jc5205]

Thanks for the ideas

 

[wild cowboy]

I have also used surgical rubber hose, telephone wire, and vacuum hose - anything that is easy to tie & untie

 

[Shadowdog500]

5" or 6" S- hooks from the garden section of ACE hardware. I hook them onto the coil spring. They are usually a buck or two a piece, but recently got three for $2 on sale during a fall sidewalk sale. They look exactly like the OTC hooks. I hang them on my lift column so they are always handy.

Before that I zip tied them to the spring

 

[e30bradley]

I've been a pro if you care about what a pro uses.. We use whatever we can. I like zip ties. Wire works. Or just rest it on the knuckle or the frame...

 

[Formula]

I have some hooks especially made for this by OTC. Very heavy duty. You could easily use some of the other methods mentioned, they all work well. Since I use them almost everyday, I invested in the nice ones made by OTC.

 

[Fedwrench]

I usually just lay the caliper out of the way or wedge it in the suspension so it doesn't interfere with the pro cut on car brake lathe. Those OTC hangars are on the long side. we're just talking about positioning the caliper so, it doesn't dangle from the brake hose so, there's no need to over think it or spend a lot of money.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Used to use a piece of bailing wire, now I use the S hook ends from broken rubber tie down straps.

 

[jc5205]

Not over thinking, just curious to see what everyone is using

 

[jc5205]

I've learned much here on This site
Like to hear all the ideas

 

[rlitman]

What's bailing wire ? & don't say for bailing

It's the cheapest steel wire you can find at the hardware store. Look for a roll in the concrete section for tying rebar.

 

[premierplayer]

Bailing wire = as in bale of hay, before the poly string used today was steel wire

bailing wire is a close cousin to mechanics wire and rebar tie wire

I use a gifted (as in free) roll of rebar tie wire, cut it off and throw it away after I bolt the caliper back on.

 

[monomach]

I use heavy-duty reusable zip ties. They're some fancy $1/ea things from ULINE that are rated for like 250lb.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I just flip them up on the rotors

 

[abvw]

Snappi-****** tarp straps. Cheap, durable, Canadian made. Hook one end to the caliper and the other to the coil spring, upper control arm, fender liners etc etc. For big and heavy calipers I loop and wrap a longer strap and hook both ends to suspension components.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

 

[lakota]

Paint hook, that's used to hold paint bucket to ladder. Might have to use two with small ends joined in the middle.

 

[firebox40dash5]

The reason I'm asking this , I didn't know if the pros use something special tool

I buy the electrical contractor-size bags of 8" and 11" zip ties for the shop at HD for like $7/1000, and we have a roll of baling wire. You'd need to give me damn compelling reason to buy a special tool when either does the job for under a penny.

 

[redwrench60]

I've used wire and bungee cords and just propped them up on the upper control arm but if I'm tearing down the whole spindle or trying to make room to work I stole a good idea from srmofo on here and use a large Vise grip welding panel clamp. I open it up, hook one end on the spring or hook it to the frame and hang the caliper from the other end. Quick and easy. I already had the clamps and I keep them handy.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I use the hangers that muffler shops use to store pipes on a rack. Their made out of spring steel I think.