PBT "4 in 1" Brake Pad Spreader

[idoitproject]

Has anyone used or purchased this tool? I have been eye balling it for a while but hesitant to purchase because of the plastic body.

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/pbt-4-in-1-brake-pad-spreader-p-17204.aspx

 

[econoaddict]

Our Matco guy came strolling in one day with one of those.
I happened to have a brake job on the rack, rotors off, pads out of the calipers, he asked if he could shows us how cool the tool was on the car. I said sure have at it.
He snapped the squeeze handle clean off on the second squeeze.
I can't say why, maybe the one he had was defective, he may have just over powered it (he is a big dude) needless to say we didn't buy one. we have many other tools for this purpose already.

 

[wafrederick]

A c clamp and big pair of channelocks do the same job.Just use an old brake pad so you don't any damage to the seal and piston.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't have that particular model. I have the Lisle version. The Lisle versions works quicker than anything else except for maybe a 3 foot pry bar. Lisle also updated theirs to a heavier all grey version.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-24300.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-25750.aspx

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I just use Channelocks, they work fine.

I will upgrade to a better tool for this purpose soon though - big Knipex Cobras!

 

[KenS]

Make your own for a couple bucks:

Homemade Lisle-type brake pad spreader...

 

[bart1]

I guess if I had sacks of money, I would get a Kukko spreader and Hazet puller. As it is, I just use big Channellocks with rubber jaw covers and a homemade puller. On my Porsche, you dont have to remove the caliper for a pad change, which is sooo handy!

Also, people have made versions of the Kukko spreader at home, as well. I never saw the need for myself.

 

[idoitproject]

I don't have that particular model. I have the Lisle version. The Lisle versions works quicker than anything else except for maybe a 3 foot pry bar. Lisle also updated theirs to a heavier all grey version.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-24300.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-25750.aspx

I have both of those models. I want something for fixed calipers.

 

[idoitproject]

Our Matco guy came strolling in one day with one of those.
I happened to have a brake job on the rack, rotors off, pads out of the calipers, he asked if he could shows us how cool the tool was on the car. I said sure have at it.
He snapped the squeeze handle clean off on the second squeeze.
I can't say why, maybe the one he had was defective, he may have just over powered it (he is a big dude) needless to say we didn't buy one. we have many other tools for this purpose already.

That's pretty much the reason why I haven't bought one.

 

[Gary S]

A c clamp and big pair of channelocks do the same job.Just use an old brake pad so you don't any damage to the seal and piston.

I do it the same way. I've been changing my own brake pads for 35 years and have always used a simple C clamp. It has worked perfectly every time, so I have no interest in buying a more expensive tool to duplicate this job.

 

[mrholeshot]

I have one but it is made for dual piston calipers but will work on single piston as well. real time saver. Mine is built better but can't remember who makes it.

 

[Up And Down]

At the risk of being laughed off the forum, I use this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQU9K/?tag=atomicindus08-20 whenever I can find it. When I cannot, I use a regular C-clamp. Neither tool will work on a quad piston caliper like I ran across when doing pads in a Corvette once...you need a tool like the ones above that spread from the inside.

 

[mrholeshot]

At the risk of being laughed off the forum, I use this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQU9K/?tag=atomicindus08-20 whenever I can find it. When I cannot, I use a regular C-clamp. Neither tool will work on a quad piston caliper like I ran across when doing pads in a Corvette once...you need a tool like the ones above that spread from the inside.

I think about every tech I know has one of those in their tool box. Channellock and pliers may work for some people but when working on a customers car with custom painted calipers you dont want to piss them off buy ruining their paint.

 

[idoitproject]

At the risk of being laughed off the forum, I use this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQU9K/?tag=atomicindus08-20 whenever I can find it. When I cannot, I use a regular C-clamp. Neither tool will work on a quad piston caliper like I ran across when doing pads in a Corvette once...you need a tool like the ones above that spread from the inside.

I have two of those, they work great and fit in my mobile box.

 

[mepilotunot]

I have sold probably 10 or so of the 4n1 PBT units. I have two back so far for breaking the handle. I had another that got jammed up. I do have one customer that uses it prob every other day on a fleet of Ambulances. HE said if it does not work he goes to the C-clamp before forcing to hard and then if still stuck..... a new Caliper. Mixed reviews from my customers. I think they are 80 bucks and a good forged C clamp is half that. I am still on the fence with them and tend to push the Lisle dual piston set up for 47.00

 

[marcusicp]

Check out this one: Link. I am thinking about picking it up soon. It looks pretty solid and the price seems fair. Anyone have this?

 

[idoitproject]

It won't do fixed dual piston calipers unless you unbolt and have the old pads in there.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I guess if I had sacks of money, I would get a Kukko spreader and Hazet puller. As it is, I just use big Channellocks with rubber jaw covers and a homemade puller. On my Porsche, you dont have to remove the caliper for a pad change, which is sooo handy!

Also, people have made versions of the Kukko spreader at home, as well. I never saw the need for myself.

My old manager has one of those, badass tool, but really expensive. I think he liberated his from a main dealer toolroom.

 

[KCarGuy]

I have tried all different types of spreaders over the years...I always go back to my trusted "C" Clamp!

 

[Theloniousmonk]

I guess if I had sacks of money, I would get a Kukko spreader and Hazet puller. As it is, I just use big Channellocks with rubber jaw covers and a homemade puller. On my Porsche, you dont have to remove the caliper for a pad change, which is sooo handy!

Also, people have made versions of the Kukko spreader at home, as well. I never saw the need for myself.

And for every real tool, there is a knock-off:

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Necro'ing this thread... was looking for an alternate pad spreader. I have one like the Kukko, but it requires an old set of pads to do multi-piston calipers as the jaws are narrow.

I so this from SO: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Disc-Brake-Tools/Brake-Caliper-Press-(Blue-Point)/BTCP1

and then found the PBT version as referenced in this thread: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BI2BOXG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Any experience with it? The similar Lisle seems to get knocked for quality...

 

[Gila Monster]

I have a model similar to this, I really like it.

I tried the Lisle "grease gun" style and just didn't like it.

 

[Flared Base]

I have a model similar to this, I really like it.

I tried the Lisle "grease gun" style and just didn't like it.

I have that exact one also. Once calipers started having electric motors in plastic housings on the back for the parking brake, I stopped using the c-clamp. This one works really well and the plates stay very parallel so they always push the piston back very smooth. Just add a little grease to the threads and guide bar and it operates very smooth. I am very happy with it.

Also, this tools works on 4 piston calipers where the pads are removed from the top after pulling a pin without having to remove the caliper. That could come in handy pad slapping at a track day.

 

[ex-x-fire]

^^^Who makes it?^^^

 

[Ralf11]

Who makes the cheap knockoff of it???

 

[Flared Base]

Here is the Amazon listing. It says it is no longer available. Maybe it is just on another listing now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M05HUSS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

EDIT: I just went into the garage and I still have the box. It is a Hiltex 20789. It looks like it is pretty much discontinued based on a web search.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Girodisc is my preferred tool for fixed

 

[Ralf11]

15 bucks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ25DHN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dnschmidt]

As a matter of fact TOPTUL makes that exact style of pad spreader and it works great. The Kastar/Lange and Astro ratcheting pad spreaders work well too. I sold a couple of the TOPTUL ones when I was in the business, naturally I kept one for myself, but since I'm out of the business now they are unavailable.

https://www.toptul.com/en/product-323657/Disc-Brake-Piston-Spreader.html

 

[nafterclifen]

I bought the Lang tool to use on 4-piston calipers. Works great on dual and single piston calipers too. Made in USA.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079GQKDE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ralf11]

I like that ratchet action