Pickle Forks: For Hacks Only?

[Notwerk]

IMHO some ""tools"" now made are just to get more money out of your wallet
like this one for example...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Disc...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item415974f3df
thats for the fixed pistin caliper... like mid 90s and older
what happened to the 8inch C clamp that has been used for 40 years or so

C-clamps won't work on pistons that have to be rotated, but I suppose neither would that particular tool. A piston compressor is a great tool to have, but only if it rotates. Though, I have to admit, I usually just rent one from the auto parts place when brake duty comes along.

On other matters, I've found that pickle forks are more trouble than they're worth. The BFH has always worked for me (though I guess in some instances, I'd rather use a puller).

 

[ibedayank]

C-clamps won't work on pistons that have to be rotated, but I suppose neither would that particular tool. A piston compressor is a great tool to have, but only if it rotates. Though, I have to admit, I usually just rent one from the auto parts place when brake duty comes along.

On other matters, I've found that pickle forks are more trouble than they're worth. The BFH has always worked for me (though I guess in some instances, I'd rather use a puller).

look at the link i posted its for a FIXED piston
there are trucks where a puller wont fit....its that simple
late 80s ford 1ton 2wheel drive not much room there to play with
not EVERYONE drives something 7 years or newer
and the pullers have not been out that long.... picklefork 40+ years

 

[LawnDart79]

C-clamps won't work on pistons that have to be rotated, but I suppose neither would that particular tool. A piston compressor is a great tool to have, but only if it rotates. Though, I have to admit, I usually just rent one from the auto parts place when brake duty comes along.

On other matters, I've found that pickle forks are more trouble than they're worth. The BFH has always worked for me (though I guess in some instances, I'd rather use a puller).

I even think that piston compressors for the pistons that need to be rotated are silly. Why spend money on **** like that.

All I've ever used to compress these type of pistons is a chrome socket that I've modified and ground down so that it has two tabs that fit into the slots on the caliper pistion.

All you have to do is put the socket on a ratchet, maybe use an extension, apply a little force and turn. The caliper piston retracts like magic.

Why spend $40-80 for a tool you don't need?

I'm sure I'll be scoffed at for this "homeade remedy", but It's worked well for me for years.

 

[rocklobster]

For compressing regular caliper pistons the fastest tool that I have found is a 6" vise grip.

 

[I can fix anything]

I even think that piston compressors for the pistons that need to be rotated are silly. Why spend money on **** like that.

All I've ever used to compress these type of pistons is a chrome socket that I've modified and ground down so that it has two tabs that fit into the slots on the caliper pistion.

All you have to do is put the socket on a ratchet, maybe use an extension, apply a little force and turn. The caliper piston retracts like magic.

Why spend $40-80 for a tool you don't need?

I'm sure I'll be scoffed at for this "homeade remedy", but It's worked well for me for years.

Cause you only have to spend $11 to get the correct tool.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQUFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ibedayank]

For compressing regular caliper pistons the fastest tool that I have found is a 6" vise grip.

i prefer the big *** c clamp compress em before i take the pins/bolts out
but being i use a picklefork i am just a hack...lol

 

[LawnDart79]

Cause you only have to spend $11 to get the correct tool.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQUFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Well, considering i used an old socket I had laying around to build my tool, which functions no less effectively than the one in your link, it looks like I saved myself $11.

Well, I take that back, I have two homemade sockets; one smaller one and one larger one. Both were built with odds and ends sockets I had laying around.

Here's a link to the actual "correct tool", however I've used these and am not a fan. If others like to use it, more power to them.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-25000.aspx

 

[mrbreezeet1]

We have the set at work, NAPA I think, but on the Ford Fusion, I have been able to wind the piston in with a pair of needle nose pliers.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[ibedayank]

being most of the stuff i work on is older fixed caliper or 4 wheel DRUM
i will stick to using me C clamp and pickleforks...

 

[ImportTuner]

I got the Napa front end service kit today from UPS; everything is made by the Danaher group and have KD part numbers on everything .. good buy compared to the Amazon deal ...

 

[LawnDart79]

I got the Napa front end service kit today from UPS; everything is made by the Danaher group and have KD part numbers on everything .. good buy compared to the Amazon deal ...

Cool!

Out of curiosity, do you know the COO?

 

[ImportTuner]

Cool!

Out of curiosity, do you know the COO?

It's marked Taiwan ... on the label at the front of the case

 

[Skyline]

Cripe's is a good deal but, not a great deal.

http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-41690.aspx


I have found the puller in the middle on the left side to be my go to tool for front end work.

That's a nice set. Stahlwile sells a little ball joint/ tie rod tool that I have used for many years. Similar to the lever type in that set but smaller. Fantastic tool; never fails, and never harms the rubber boots. AST sells exactly the same tool as well.

 

[Bull]

That's a nice set. Stahlwile sells a little ball joint/ tie rod tool that I have used for many years. Similar to the lever type in that set but smaller. Fantastic tool; never fails, and never harms the rubber boots. AST sells exactly the same tool as well.

What's the model of that one? Or, can you link to a pic?

 

[Stephenw]

I bought the puller kit from Cripe because it was only $60. I fully expected it was going to be from China or Taiwan. The box was marked NAPA, the tools KD, and the instructions were Danaher Tool Group. The country of origin was Taiwan.

In the second picture, the left pitman arm puller is an OTC. I bought it back when OTC tools were still made in the USA. I was a huge fan of OTC tools before they started building them in China. The right puller is the KD one from the new kit. The casting is cleaned up better than the OTC, but it just doesn't seem to be near the same quality.