Make a brake pad spreader!

[03protege]

Well if you read my pressurized brake bleeder thread you probably heard me mention I am doing my families brake jobs and the list is growing

So naturally I have been looking/buying brake related tools.

My biggest pet peeve of brake jobs is bleeding the brakes, now that I got that handled I decided to focus on my second least favorite part which is retracting the brake piston. In the past I have always used a C-Clamp and HATED it but I didn't (and still don't) want to drop $30-50 on a sweet pad spreader. I was contemplating making a socket driven one but I didn't feel like welding or going to buy the hardware.

Anyway in the middle of the brake job, the point at which I was suppose to go dig for a C-Clamp, I had a vision. I couldn't get it out of my head how much the brake pad spreader looked like a caulk gun.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009OR8V6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

There is actually several zillion caulk guns that use that same grip/mechanism. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YTSYS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Then I remembered I had a caulk gun stashed away under the work bench I hadn't used in 5 years.

I zip-tied the grip in case I got carried away with the angle grinder.

A few seconds later..

When I have the time I am going to modify it by making the plunger smaller so it fits inside of the piston and I am going to make the part that catches on the caliper smaller so that it fits a little better in different scenarios. I also need to shorten the rod as the brake pistons don't need anywhere near that amount of travel.

 

[rdsk8ter]

that's a really good idea

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

That... shouldn't work. I mean, that's just too cool and easy. It can't be that simple.

Does it take a lot of squeezing to push the piston back in? I always use a C clamp so I don't know the effort needed.

 

[robalmal]

Great idea. I might copy that. Most of the time I just use a large Channel lock type pliers. They work 90% of the time.

 

[larry4406]

I use a large vise grip style c-clamp to spread calipers

 

[Super Mech]

No need to modify the plunger, just put one of the old brake pads in between the piston and the plunger.

 

[03protege]

That... shouldn't work. I mean, that's just too cool and easy. It can't be that simple.

Does it take a lot of squeezing to push the piston back in? I always use a C clamp so I don't know the effort needed.

It is a two hand operation and if you have weak or arthritic hands it may not be the best route, but it took maybe 5 "pumps" and the piston was fully retracted. About 10 seconds total. The different caulk guns have different drive ratios I believe mine is about 8:1, the lisle one is 26:1 so it should much easier.

 

[kbs2244]

Super mech has the right idea.
Just leave the inside pad in place and push on it.

If you are worried about carpel tunnel, they do make pneumatic caulk guns.

I have a less than $5.00 HF, screw type spreader.
It works, but it is slow.
This may be in my future.
Nice hack.

 

[willymakeit]

Idea stolen.good thinking.

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Great idea if the caliper is off the rotor -- I retract my pads before I remove the caliper -- use a large [approx. 10" opening] c-clamp -- works everytime.

 

[03protege]

Great idea if the caliper is off the rotor -- I retract my pads before I remove the caliper -- use a large [approx. 10" opening] c-clamp -- works everytime.

I don't understand, the caliper is still on the rotor I just undid 1 of 2 bolts to pivot it.


Or are you able to remove your pads without even doing that?

 

[03protege]

If you are worried about carpel tunnel, they do make pneumatic caulk guns.

Well I didn't want to spend too much money on this, if I was going to buy one of these nice caulk guns to chop up I might as well just buy the tool

I figure everyone has at least 1 old unused caulk gun laying around.

 

[sberry]

It looks like it was hard to go wrong here. Free parts, short fab time, it works.

 

[pepi]

That's rich good one !

 

[buening]

Great idea if the caliper is off the rotor -- I retract my pads before I remove the caliper -- use a large [approx. 10" opening] c-clamp -- works everytime.

This depends on the caliper type. A floating single or dual piston yes, but a four or six piston you have to remove the caliper in order to retract the pistons since it isn't a floating design but rather a monoblock.

03protege, this is one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments for me! Good work.

 

[4BT]

That's great

The cheaper guns tend to flex too much.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

i like that idea, ive got a caulk gun lying around and i need to do brakes on the wifes van........da da daummmmmmmmmmm gonna get to work.

 

[kkroger]

I have used, when I was a working mechanic, my Channellock 20" I think 480 pliers.... Works fine and easier etc etc....

No time for Unitaskers....

 

[jim faston]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82866