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Best brake caliper piston tool?

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tym

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Front, rear, or both?

For rear, I have a Blue Point set I bought used.
 
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Mr_B

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For basic home use the generic kits like found on eBay will do you good service .
 
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Shane6377

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Put the old brake pad on the piston and use a c-clamp. I have the kit similar to what you posted and the c-clamp is faster for me.

The Lisle 25750 style looks interesting. Could anyone who has used the Lisle or similar style comment if it is better or worse?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
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p..

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I used a Lisle 25000 as a VW / Audi tech through 2005. I think I actually bought it off the Matco truck. It worked on everything I needed it to as far as rear calipers that needed to have the pistons spun in. Haven't used it on any recent VWs though.
 
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2ndGearRubber

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ex-x-fire said:
The HF one is a great bargain, used daily in the shop.
Click to expand...

That's what I use. I have yet to find a wind-in caliper it cannot do. VW, GM, whatever; it covers everything. There are plenty of sellers of said kit.

Lots of modern stuff has electric parking brake equipped calipers. They require no twisting, just enter maintenance mode, and compress. This includes some VWs. 9volt battery trickery is possible, but I highly recommend using the proper scan tool. You can get into deep trouble without it.




The Lisle 25750 style are not for twist in calipers. They compress in straight only, on larger stuff like trucks/SUVs you need to space the tool with a brake pad, as it will mechanically bottom before fully compressing the calipers. I have the standard, double, and quad style. The quad is 100% garbage, not enough leverage. The double requires a shim as I said, sometimes a pair of vice-grip 11R are required on each individual piston if it's a really crusty old caliper and I'm not replacing it. Single does great for me.
 
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jimmyin3D

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toddmorr said:
I have the kastar 279, works just fine for all my Japanese SUV and car needs, although I can see the appeal of the pistol style tool.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using The Garage Journal mobile app
Click to expand...

I think OP is looking for the wind-back style used on some rear calipers. The kastar is probably one of the best out there for regular brake caliper compression. Blue point rebadges it and Snap On couple yrs ago came out with a similar style.

I would avoid the Hazet since it’s not worth the extra dough. This type of tool is mechanical and it doesn’t take too much precision to be able to manufacture these tools. On that note though the other KSR one you posted is an “all in one” type that in theory would be cool but looks like it won’t fit every style, pass on that too.

I would stick with HF since it seems to have all the adapters, or if looking to step up, there’s the Lisle 25000/Mac rebadged version. Or Kyoto Tool Co. has some that are double sided and fit into any 3/8 square drive.
 
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mfewtrail

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Shane6377 said:
Put the old brake pad on the piston and use a c-clamp. I have the kit similar to what you posted and the c-clamp is faster for me.

The Lisle 25750 style looks interesting. Could anyone who has used the Lisle or similar style comment if it is better or worse?
Click to expand...


If you're doing brakes often, the Lisle brake piston compressors are well worth the money. Faster and more convenient to use than a c-clamp or large pliers for sure.
 
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Mr_B

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ex-x-fire said:
The HF one is a great bargain, used daily in the shop.
Click to expand...

HF one is 50 bucks for 11 piece

you can get exact same kit via ebay for 20 bucks and the 21/22pc kits with left and right hand wind in tool for around 35 bucks .
can find cheapest 22pc sets at 20bucks shipped to your door.

These kits copy of well known service tool brand and work perfect and quality more than good enough for years of home use .
I got one in service truck and been used in shop and works fine, bit of innovative thought can make it even better and for the price you can't go wrong as long as don't buy the worst cheap junk you can find .

They can be used for piston push in and wind back of parking brake caliper on screw and non screw style like some electric brake systems .
While not fastest way do everything but the kits will do it if needed .

You can also make you own spreader from pistol trigger speed clamps and milled or ground old brake pads, lad working for me has 2 and cost him under 8bucks each, was that good I thought he bought them as a branded brake tool .
 
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MoonRise

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Astro pneumatic kit with LH and RH screws.

About $40, name brand, GREAT customer support if you ever need it (a product manager is here on GJ too).
 
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JRas

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Shane6377 said:
Put the old brake pad on the piston and use a c-clamp. I have the kit similar to what you posted and the c-clamp is faster for me.

The Lisle 25750 style looks interesting. Could anyone who has used the Lisle or similar style comment if it is better or worse?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Click to expand...

That works if the piston doesn't twist to be pushed back in, he's looking for that feature specifically from the looks of it. Dam new vehicles

Honestly, worth buying the specific tool (over a c-clamp) for it..I have the Lang setup. That or the Lisle option are probably best.
5192fveDACL._SL1047_.jpg
 
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bwringer

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Looks like we have another case of two threads in one here; people who have poor reading comprehension and people who actually bothered to read the frickin' question.


Anyway, the Harbor Freight set is a screaming bargain and works great. I don't see the point of spending more to accomplish this simple task.

Since OP might be in Europe or Canada, visit your nearest equivalent to Harbor Freight. Gotta be somewhere you can buy Chinese tools.
 
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M6erfan

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bwringer said:
Looks like we have another case of two threads in one here; people who have poor reading comprehension and people who actually bothered to read the frickin' question.
Click to expand...

^^^Pretty much most GJ threads...

HF set is fine
 
OP
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D_o_S

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Yep, I am in Europe :)

Yep, I need the tool to unwind pistons, not just push them back...

Will check for some el-cheapo stuff... the Hazet is like 200 USD without any of the adapters, which are like 30 USD apiece...
 
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Mr_B

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The universal kits unwinds pistons just fine, I got 21pc kit one in autoshop and it seen lot of use .
haset style not so adaptable in use across differing caliper types and complete waste of finances .
 
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Kasal

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You can also look at the model BAHCO BBR300P50 It covers a large number of brands and models. It can be arranged by Amazon at a reasonable price.
 
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JJ99SS

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I like the KS one you linked to. Less parts to lose and looks well made. If that is what you need theres nothing wrong with what you selected.

I personally have the Lang Tools one pictured in someones post in my Amazon shopping list. My 04 Tacoma front brakes are 2 piston calipers and drums out back.
 
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timc930

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The Lisle 25000 (On Amazon) states for rear brakes, but on my BMW, Land Rover, and Mercedes it looks like it will work on the front and rear, basically any "Two Piece" Brake caliper system, where you pull off the Piston "housing" leaving the Pads mounted on the "Frame" that is attached to the rear of the Spindle. Am I missing something?
 
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Mr_B

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I have a astro and a 20buck 22pc unbranded kit off eBay .
20 buck kit been just as good and has been in use in daily shop so see good service for home use, Such a basic tool which not exactly seeing much abuse and when you copying rather than designing actual production cost is next to nothing .
Plenty options and no need spend silly money .
 
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mike93lx

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I use whatever one my local auto parts store has available as a loaner.

This they are branded OEM tools or some such name. For infrequent use, anything will work just fine.
 
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gatlibs

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mike93lx said:
I use whatever one my local auto parts store has available as a loaner.

This they are branded OEM tools or some such name. For infrequent use, anything will work just fine.
Click to expand...

That is the best idea yet. It looks like Napa doesn't loan, but here's a list of others.
$60 - https://m.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-disc-brake-caliper-tool
$60 - https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ugh-disc-brake-caliper-tool-set/67090/4700286
$122 - https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...rm=9150045+OR+9150055+OR+9150047&showTitle=no
$76 - https://www.pepboys.com/oem-disc-brake-caliper-tool-set/product/9212002?quantity=1
 
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mike93lx

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gatlibs said:
That is the best idea yet. It looks like Napa doesn't loan, but here's a list of others.
$60 - https://m.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-disc-brake-caliper-tool
$60 - https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ugh-disc-brake-caliper-tool-set/67090/4700286
$122 - https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...rm=9150045+OR+9150055+OR+9150047&showTitle=no
$76 - https://www.pepboys.com/oem-disc-brake-caliper-tool-set/product/9212002?quantity=1
Click to expand...

The OP is in Europe, so I don't know if a comparable service is available
 
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noid

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The thing to remember is that on top of needing different adapters, its smart to also have a kit that can go clockwise and counter clockwise.

I have the "Capri Tools 21-Piece Disc Brake Caliper Kit".

https://amzn.to/2ZwzZva

Its under $40 bucks and you can definitely find it on ebay for international delivery.

Its lasted me well, and I have yet to need an adapter that the kit didn't have.
 
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Fluelikesymptoms

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My go to is using the old brake pad and a c clamp, my go to for the twist to compress pistons is this here:

https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/disc-brake-piston-tool

I have about 3 of them as they are easy to loose, I once was very disorganized and lost tools easily. I think I've outgrown that.

Anyways, alot of people hate those square universal ones, but I've had a good experience with them. Alot of people complain they dont compress and twist at same time, I haven't had that much of a problem with pushing on my ratchet head and turning the ratchet at the same time. In my experience the ones that twist dont require as much compressing force as the ones that dont.

Yes I have had a few experiences where clearance was an issue, but with some will and determination it will still work in a pinch.

Yes I do find myself still wanting to buy a set of real brake caliper tools. That said I feel like there could be a better name as well for these "brake caliper piston tools."
 
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mike93lx

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noid said:
Many VW's (ie. OP's needs) require you to turn while compressing.
Click to expand...

I think he is talking about turning them, but running the risk of tearing a boot or buggering up the surface is crazy when the proper tool is readily available for so cheap or free.
 
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mitusa

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noid said:
The thing to remember is that on top of needing different adapters, its smart to also have a kit that can go clockwise and counter clockwise.

I have the "Capri Tools 21-Piece Disc Brake Caliper Kit".

https://amzn.to/2ZwzZva

Its under $40 bucks and you can definitely find it on ebay for international delivery.

Its lasted me well, and I have yet to need an adapter that the kit didn't have.
Click to expand...

I just received my kit that has right and left compressors......I have a 2017 Mazda 3 that I'm going to replace the rear pads.

Do I use the clockwise on one side and the CCW on the other side??? And if so, which side is the CCW? I've watched some videos and have yet to see one that explains this....

TIA
 
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GirchyGirchy

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mitusa said:
I just received my kit that has right and left compressors......I have a 2017 Mazda 3 that I'm going to replace the rear pads.

Do I use the clockwise on one side and the CCW on the other side??? And if so, which side is the CCW? I've watched some videos and have yet to see one that explains this....
Click to expand...

No, just use the normal right hand thread for both sides.

BTW, the tool for the old pre-MY14 Mazda3 rear brakes doesn't fit the new ones.
 
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