Rear Disc Brakes Piston Turning Tool

[Wamsutta]

The kind of brake pistons that have to be rotated in order to get the caliper off the rotor. Which tool is the best?

.... and I don't mean that Rubik's cube looking thing ....

 

[GraySkies]

You should be able to retract the piston enough to get it off the rotor without any special tools. You just won't be able to retract it enough to get new pads in there without the tool.

I usually just rent the kit from Oreilly Auto Parts. The rental is actually free. You put a deposit on it, and they return the full deposit when you return the kit intact.

 

[bcschief]

You should be able to retract the piston enough to get it off the rotor without any special tools. You just won't be able to retract it enough to get new pads in there without the tool.

I usually just rent the kit from Oreilly Auto Parts. The rental is actually free. You put a deposit on it, and they return the full deposit when you return the kit intact.

Autozone has the same program.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't think there is a best any more depending on what you work on. Schley tools used to make a set that was universally sold by all of the tool trucks.

https://sptool.com/collections/universal/products/86100b-universal-brake-caliper-tool

If you work on Fords and a few other brands, you'll need one that rotates counterclockwise like this astro set.

https://www.astrotools.com/18pcs-brake-caliper-wind-back-tool-set.html

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't think there is a best any more depending on what you work on. Schley tools used to make a set that was universally sold by all of the tool trucks.

https://sptool.com/collections/universal/products/86100b-universal-brake-caliper-tool

If you work on Fords and a few other brands, you'll need one that rotates counterclockwise like this astro set.

https://www.astrotools.com/18pcs-brake-caliper-wind-back-tool-set.html

Do I need one that rotates both left and right like this one?

https://orionmotortech.com/collecti...-duty-disc-brake-caliper-tool-set-cwb-bl22-00

It's for my 2000 LeSabre Fedwrench. The rear brake pads and rotors are shot.

That Schley looks sweet and made in USA too.

 

[dogdog]

HF have one, they used to have the left and right handed ones, now just one...

There is no da best per se... just a tool... I thought my HF one was **** when I bend the handle using cheater bar at the bench truing to turn my Jetta rear caliper piston back It turned out the problem was the seized caliper where the piston internal double helix thread was screwed up... I am pretty sure the Snap-on set would have bend as well...

I think some higher end GM car uses the Left hand ones... so ... if you have those cars, you might get the one that have left and right hand ...

 

[mrjaw14]

I have a kit from Astro pneumatic I really like. Has both screw types and a lot of adapters.

 

[Qualitytools]

I first encountered the rear caliper piston retract issue when I was changing brake pads on my sisters 1988 Acura Integra. I discovered I could not just push the piston back in but had to rotate it. I ended up just using a pair of needle nose pliers to place in the slots and rotate it until the piston retracted so I can install the new brake pads.

Well it's been a few years and I have not had to deal with that type of calipers. But based on this thread they are out there and still in production. I wonder why that style is used, anyone know?

 

[jayemm]

I bought a set off ebay that has both left and right hand screw assemblies and a bunch of adapters for about $21 delivered.Same set goes for 45-50 bux at auto parts stores.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/272354766673?hash=item3f699bef51

It's one like this.Vendor was 'mlautotools'." 22 Pcs Universal Disc Brake Caliper Wind Back Rewind Tools Kit"

 

[Pontiac787]

Sunex makes a really nice one with a ton of adapters. I think it’s around $55.

 

[cvairwerks]

Still used as it provides auto adjustment for the parking brake.

 

[richfinn]

There are lots of variations

Screw type (left/right hand thread)

Compressed air type

Clamp pressure type

Then there are fixed and adjustable pin adaptors

They all work, Some of the screw type sets are cheap and nasty.

 

[matt_i]

On the 08-14 Chevy Malibu I use a chanellock needle nose pliers, opened up and go into the grooves to twist the piston back home.

Its not a perfect machined tool but works well enough for driveway ops.

 

[bcschief]

Autozone has both P/N 27111 and 27113 rent and return end cost is 0 save your money for more useful tools.

 

[Super Mech]

They best thing I ever bought for this was an air powered one off Amazon. It has an aide powered piston that applies pressure and a bunch of adapters for various different vehicles.
It’s works in both directions and has been trouble free in the last year. I use it at least twice a week sometimes much more. I paid less than a hundred for it. A fantastic timesaver for me. I would post a link but after all these years I still don’t know how.

 

[ecotec]

I have the old style Harbor Freight set with left and right screw assemblies. The set is amazing for the money. I, absolutely, considered it to be one of the gems of Harbor Freight. It was sad that they went with the set without both screw assemblies.

Anyways, you can still find this style set, from different brands, on Amazon.

 

[richfinn]

This type uses a powerful spring and will wind in bothe directions

Also has adjustable drive pins

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LASER-Q3...rentrq:2c32f7431750a4b6abd400d6ffe297bd|iid:1

This is the air powered version

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Lase...rentrq:2c35551a1750a6e687ccc775ffdbf180|iid:1

 

[theoldwizard1]

Buy the cheapest on you can find on eBay.

 

[milwaukeephil]

I have the fancy kit with the 400 different magnetic adapters, forward, reverse, sidways, upside down clamps, and a nice blow molded case.

I use the Rubik's cube.

 

[Al Borland]

Just used my thumb to turn and push the piston in. Had rented the tool from AutoZoo and noticed the handle on the clamp was bent badly. Tried pushing it with my thumb as a joke, and it worked for both calipers. In fairness, it's the wife's car, very low mileage and the rotors were delaminating/rusting/warping because it sits so much, so the calipers aren't corroded

 

[btoonsis]

Buy the cheapest on you can find on eBay.

This.

Unless you're a pro, any of the sets on eBay should get the job done. I think I paid under $20 shipped... with both right & left hand wind-back tools... and a ton of adapters I'll never use... and it's been fine for the dozen or so brake jobs I've used it for.

 

[PDM]

I have the fancy kit with the 400 different magnetic adapters, forward, reverse, sidways, upside down clamps, and a nice blow molded case.

I use the Rubik's cube.

Lol..... I have multiple kits and tools and still use the "Borg" at times as its fast and simple