Brake caliper compression tool?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Is the lisle 25000 (http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=110) the best bang for the buck as far as caliper tools go? I have an older set my grandfather gave to me which i use to compress stubborn calipers or to just make the job go a bit smoother, but i can remember working in the shop (not currently) and having twist in calipers that i would use a combination of needlenose pliers and the weight of my body to twist/push in. I'm looking to upgrade my set but don't want to go truck brand. Do you know of any complete sets?

 

[WhiffySpark]

Sunex is what I have. One day I'll buy the sir tools ne

 

[crab]

A C clamp has always worked for me.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Sunex is what I have. One day I'll buy the sir tools ne

I'm guessing you're talking about the air powered one? I would like that too, but don't always have shop air accessible.

 

[bczygan]

C clamp!

 

[Bobioz1]

That Lisle tool is for spinning caliper Pistons back in. A C clamp won't work for that.

 

[04chase]

i have the blue point hand one and the lisle version that just push a rod and catch it applying pressure to pistons that do not spin. The blue point/snap on one does work a bit better but on any larger caliper (larger than a 1 ton truck) a good Wilton C-clamp with course threads is by far the easiest imo.

the blue point one i have looks like this

 

[OHMS LAW]

I got the harbor freight set and it has worked for everything I threw at it. Including European models. Last I looked it was 44 bucks

 

[KM223]

What type of caliper are you working on? Single piston, 2,4,6,8 even 10 or 12 piston? I use the Girodisc caliper tool. This tool will do up to 8 piston Brembos as well as other big calipers. It makes quick work of any brake job.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'll post up a pic of what I have when I get out to my box guys. Thanks for the replies thus far

 

[619DioFan]

I have the HF version of the lisle set. the HF version come with more adaptors. works on both twist in pistons and traditional push in type. well worth the 50.00 bucks IMO.

 

[BK13]

What type of caliper are you working on? Single piston, 2,4,6,8 even 10 or 12 piston? I use the Girodisc caliper tool. This tool will do up to 8 piston Brembos as well as other big calipers. It makes quick work of any brake job.

Holy schniekies! $225? Is it worth that kind of cash for a guy doing stock calipers in his driveway?

 

[KM223]

Holy schniekies! $225? Is it worth that kind of cash for a guy doing stock calipers in his driveway?

No. But for a guy with a GT3 as a track car and a Cayenne Turbo as a daily driver it is.
As for the OP maybe not. Unless he to has some sort of track car.

 

[stevenhs]

So far I find this better than C-clamp on most small cars
Lang Tools 279 Brake Caliper Press
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079GQKDE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For big trucks, C-clamp is best

 

[OHMS LAW]

I use that Lang because it's the best and fastest that I have used

 

[Fedwrench]

Some of you are missing the point of the Lisle set first linked.

The Lisle set linked is for rotating REAR disc caliper pistons inward that have an integral parking brake.

The set isn't designed for front brake pistons where a c clamp or other compression tools can be used.

Back to the original question, I don't feel the lisle kit is the best bang for the buck any more. It's overdo for an upgrade.

There are many versions of the same kit sold under different brands that are less than $50 and are more complete. For example, many late model imports need an adapter with two pins close together which isn't found in the lisle kit. Another example is on some late model Fords you rave to rotate the piston inward by turning it counterclockwise. The lisle kit only works clockwise.

This style of kit would be better for rear disc brakes with an integral parking brake in the caliper:
http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-78618.aspx

 

[wafrederick]

Some of you are missing the point of the Lisle set first linked.

The Lisle set linked is for rotating REAR disc caliper pistons inward that have an integral parking brake.

The set isn't designed for front brake pistons where a c clamp or other compression tools can be used.

Back to the original question, I don't feel the lisle kit is the best bang for the buck any more. It's overdo for an upgrade.

There are many versions of the same kit sold under different brands that are less than $50 and are more complete. For example, many late model imports need an adapter with two pins close together which isn't found in the lisle kit. Another example is on some late model Fords you rave to rotate the piston inward by turning it counterclockwise. The lisle kit only works clockwise.

This style of kit would be better for rear disc brakes with an integral parking brake in the caliper:
http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-78618.aspx

Matco sells that kit like that for under $100.00.Harbor Freight has it too.I have the Matco set and no complaints with it.

 

[toolman9w]

What Fed said.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Matco sells that kit like that for under $100.00.Harbor Freight has it too.I have the Matco set and no complaints with it.

Amazon has it for well under $100 too... and the Matco one is (or was) the Lisle relabeled. The Astro one looks like it comes with the reverse theead tool too, for certain calipers. Lisle sells that one separately.

For the non-spin types that Lang tool is the shiz. I bought the Blue Point relabel after fighting the Lisle caulk gun types on too many truck calipers. If the threaded press one gives too much trouble you need to replace the caliper.

 

[Bobioz1]

The A.P. Tool linked "appears" to not acommodate a ratchet on the drive end. If you have to use only that short T bar it will be brutal on your hands.

 

[WhiffySpark]

The A.P. Tool linked "appears" to not acommodate a ratchet on the drive end. If you have to use only that short T bar it will be brutal on your hands.

Mine has the t bar. Never had an issue?if it's that hard to turn back you need to replace them

By the way sunex gas both counter and regular threads

I like using my cube and ratchet whenever I can

 

[Bobioz1]

I always start with the cube too. Gets most of them. When the tool has to come out, it gets a long 3/8 ratchet. Seems like a 3 handed job already so anything to make it easier. I don't do a lot of brake jobs these days and I don't miss it. Rust, "competitive" pricing, blah.

 

[unslow1]

I have the HF kit and a couple of the cubes.

The Harbor Freight kit is on sale for $49.99 right now and they have a 25% off coupon good today only. That makes it less than $38. They also have 20% anytime.

 

[Fedwrench]

The A.P. Tool linked "appears" to not acommodate a ratchet on the drive end. If you have to use only that short T bar it will be brutal on your hands.

You've got other issues with your caliper if you need a ratchet to retract the piston.

 

[unslow1]

The style of box tool that you use to spin the piston in uses a ratchet and 3/8 extension.


http://www.aliexpress.com/item/WHOL...er-Wind-Back-Cube-Tool-ST0134/1896110856.html

 

[theoldwizard1]

...the best bang for the buck as far as caliper tools go?

Buy the cheapest on you can find on eBay.

I have used mine several times with no issues.

 

[Bobioz1]

I didn't say I "needed" a ratchet. If the piston spins easy I use the cube and a ratchet. If the piston spins hard I use the tool and a longer ratchet. Just little things you pickup with experience.

 

[firworks]

I've got the Astro Pneumatic kit with the drum brake set (Astro 78619). I've used it a few times now and no complaints about it's functionality. The discs and the actual tool itself seem to be well done, but man the blow mold case is a real piece of failure. Being as careful as I can possibly be treating the case like it's full of nitroglycerin and has some angry hornets in it and when I open it not a piece is in the right place. It's like a metal on metal jamboree in there. Still, I snagged mine off Amazon Warehouse Deals and the price was real good. Still had the plastic wrap on it. It comes with two screws, one right hand and one left hand thread. On the cars I've used it on so far, both calipers L and R screwed in with the right hand thread. Not sure which cars require such a thing but it's got it.

 

[gearhead1]

I have the HF set. (I use a c-clamp for the fronts.)

 

[A-R-K]

I've got the Astro 78618 which works well on both front and rear.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RDGMNM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good value IMO.

 

[oldtools]

I have the HF set. It work for both front and rear disc brake. Work for both twist in and non-twist in brake. The HF set come with a molded case with door hinge which last much longer than non-hinged type (bending plastic).

www.harborfreight.com/disc-brake-pad-and-caliper-service-tool-kit-18-pc-61381.html

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I've got the Astro Pneumatic kit with the drum brake set (Astro 78619). I've used it a few times now and no complaints about it's functionality. The discs and the actual tool itself seem to be well done, but man the blow mold case is a real piece of failure. Being as careful as I can possibly be treating the case like it's full of nitroglycerin and has some angry hornets in it and when I open it not a piece is in the right place. It's like a metal on metal jamboree in there. Still, I snagged mine off Amazon Warehouse Deals and the price was real good. Still had the plastic wrap on it. It comes with two screws, one right hand and one left hand thread. On the cars I've used it on so far, both calipers L and R screwed in with the right hand thread. Not sure which cars require such a thing but it's got it.

Now that I think about it, the last set I was playing with did the same.

Let me look into this and see if we can make it differently.

Thanks

 

[66354dream]

I have the Astro Pneumatic one.

 

[BK13]

No. But for a guy with a GT3 as a track car and a Cayenne Turbo as a daily driver it is.
As for the OP maybe not. Unless he to has some sort of track car.

Thanks, sir. That is a little faster crowd than I normally run in. LOL

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

This is what I have currently

 

[wafrederick]

This is what I have currently

My dad has that same kit but has the Blue Point name on it in a red case.

 

[firworks]

Now that I think about it, the last set I was playing with did the same.

Let me look into this and see if we can make it differently.

Thanks

Awesome! Like I said that's my one gripe with the set. The AP Brake Bleeder kit I've got has a really nice case.

 

[no704]

I just did the fronts on the gfs car last night. Used a c clamp just fine. Was talking to a friend after, he suggested with a little mod an el cheapo calking gun works great.