Wamsutta
Well-known member
I'm thinking maybe an 8 inch capacity c-clamp with a throat depth of 5 inches. What you guys say?
Which size C-clamp for disc brakes?
- Thread starter Wamsutta
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sweetk30
Well-known member
slow and steady with vise-grip 11r clamps . if you need to push the pistion to hard its time for a caliper . only time i have ever had a problem was with a caliper that needed changed anyway .
and i have a LOT of these vise-grips since i weld and fab a lot . oh and i use to be a mechanic for 15 years in the shop 5-6 days a week in my younger days .
https://www.amazon.com/vise-grip-11r/s?k=vise+grip+11r
and i have a LOT of these vise-grips since i weld and fab a lot . oh and i use to be a mechanic for 15 years in the shop 5-6 days a week in my younger days .
https://www.amazon.com/vise-grip-11r/s?k=vise+grip+11r
sberry
Banned
Some of them need to be pretty good sized, I will measure whats in the mechanic bay tomorrow if I think about it.
nafterclifen
Well-known member
No more C-clamps for me. I used a "Lang Tools 279-5420 279 Brake Caliper Press" to push the (4) pistons in on a Toyota/Lexus Caliper and it was stupid simple. Worth the money if you like easy!
matt_i
Well-known member
My favorite is/was Jorgensen-Pony 6" bar clamp. I think these days its a 3706-LD or the like. Its a woodworking clamp but faster, lighter and easier to manage than a big old C.
Semi-hole mechanic
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I think mine is an 8". Its one I inherited from Dad and it has butterfly grip on the screw thats easy to grip
JRC3
Well-known member
I've used one of these for years now. Probably done at least 2 dozen brake jobs including full size pickups with it. https://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-quick-release-c-clamp-4140.html
I also have a 22pc Caliper kit but use the C clamp most unless I'm rewinding rears.
Also these are the best $5-6 you can spend.
I also have a 22pc Caliper kit but use the C clamp most unless I'm rewinding rears.
Also these are the best $5-6 you can spend.
engineer2
Well-known member
I use a 6" c-clamp , but recently bought an official caliper servicing kit (Amazon made in China) which will be good for the newer cars.
plinker
Well-known member
I had used a Jorgensen 8" or 10" a long while back. I have a Lisle caulk gun style press, not my favorite, but works ok. Upgraded to a Lang 279, works great. I prefer it over anything else.
The S-hook hangers are also very worth while.
The S-hook hangers are also very worth while.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
If you're not buying a dedicated tool, vice-grip 11R. Screw c-clamps.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
I say it kind of depends on whether you're working on a Honda or a one ton truck.
Agreed, about a four inch does the job on my old trucks.
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JRC3
Well-known member
Not if you use a quick release clamp.
I just use an old pad to push multiple pistons.
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
I have used a c clamp and the irwin quick clamp style before to. Used to hang the calipers from wire but the wire broke while i was hammering on a wheel bearing. Ended up buying the s hooks that someone posted
cmandp
Well-known member
A woodworking bar clamp is what I usually use (and what my dad used too). C-clamps that are big enough are much heavier and slower than the bar clamp and you don't need the force a large c-clamp can provide for brake calipers.
That being said I haven't worked on anything with multiple pistons or that has a screw adjuster.
That being said I haven't worked on anything with multiple pistons or that has a screw adjuster.
I believe the c-clamp I always use is a 4" clamp. If they have dual pistons, I lay a piece of flat bar across the pistons.
I just did my truck a couple of months ago and not sure if the four inch clamp was big enough.
I just did my truck a couple of months ago and not sure if the four inch clamp was big enough.
Only takes seconds....grab the screw and swing the body, like you would with one of those new year's noise makers.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GGJ4XPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
you still have to manually unscrew it to get it out of the caliper.
you have to completely unscrew when you need it, then screw it in to use it, then unscrew to remove it, then screw it back together to put it away...
or just squeeze the pliers and be done.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Really depends on the size of the caliper. I personally use my brake tools for pushing them back in or a big pair of channel locks
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Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
Billy Jack
Well-known member
I have C clamps in assorted sizes, but a pair of 16 inch Channelocks works a lot quicker for about every car or light truck I've ever done (except, of course the wind-in rears).
Bill
Bill
JRC3
Well-known member
sberry
Banned
Buy the clamp you want. It will have other uses after you do this job. A lot of the golden arm speed demons don't realize you have 1 car to do. Speed doesn't matter, right is everything.
purplezr2
Well-known member
I'm surprised there are more suggestions to use the brake caliper tools with all the calipers that require the piston to be screwed back in.
obviously you need a special tool for those. I think the OP is talking about typical front single or double piston calipers.
I have a kit for the rears, I have quad piston setups on some vehicles that a clamp or pliers doesn't work for.
toddmorr
Well-known member
i don't get the love for the Lang 279. On many Japanese cars I can't get it to retract enough to insert it....it's just too wide by about a 1/4 inch or more.
so I just end up using some channellocks or whatever.
so I just end up using some channellocks or whatever.
APEowner
Well-known member
I'm in the Channel lock camp.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Get the 277
http://www.langtools.com/sku-277-small-brake-caliper-press/
I only use the lang now, works on single and double piston, fast and not big/awkward. C clamps belong on the welding table.
Rabid Badger
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I've been using a large pliers wrench and an old pad on stubborn ones lately. On a car I can usually get it by hand, though.
The Other Sean
Well-known member
I use the caliper tool. I've encountered too many calipers where I couldn't get a square grip on the piston due to what was on the outside of the caliper body.
You guys are trying to talk me out of it, but I always wanted a Wilton Hi-Viz C-clamp.
You could buy a dedicated caliper piston tool(Lisle) cheaper than a high vis wilton c-clamp in the 8'' size.
You guys are trying to talk me out of it, but I always wanted a Wilton Hi-Viz C-clamp.
Someone posted a hot deal on the Wilton High Vis clamps here many years ago. I have two sets and love them. The down side is the yellow is powdercoating and chips. Mine have a lot of dings now, but they still work awesome. Well worth owning.
bpjr
Well-known member
I used an 8" C clamp on my wife's 2008 Toyota Rav4. No problem.
anndel
Well-known member
I always use a 6" C-clamp but for most vehicles, an 8-in c-clamp would work.
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Wrench97
Well-known member
6" will fit most but there are a few where a 8" what you need.