Poor Man's Trick to Compressing Caliper Pistons?

[mikedks]

Hey guys, I have the wrong caliper spreader for the front 4 piston caliper on my 95. Caliper is still on the truck, was wondering if anyone has a good trick or shortcut to push the pistons back in without trashing the rotor or caliper?

 

[Presta24]

put the old pads back on, use a pry bar between the rear of the caliper and the back of the rotor, smack the front of the caliper with a dead blow hammer or a small sledge. U might have to work it back n forth a bit but it should work, just be easy on it

 

[cztheman64]

^^
what he said. i always use a flat head screwdriver

 

[Hyde802]

Unhook the break line to relieve pressure. Just make sure to bleed the brakes after.

 

[SV_Dude]

I usually use a big wrench that will distribute the pressure the most evenly across the pad. Heck, you can rent a tool from your local parts store for free.

 

[mikedks]

Unhook the break line to relieve pressure. Just make sure to bleed the brakes after.

If only I could find my 10mm flare nut, which I could not. Actually got out the vise grips for a minute, then thought better of it. It was late, outside, with a drop light, gravel driveway, perfect time to really muck it up.

Think I found an easy solution, don't know why I didn't think of it while struggling in the gravel of my dark driveway. C-clamps and a piece of wood,
can't take credit for it, but should have been obvious. But you know when you
are at that point where you are bound to start breaking things, either unintentionally, and then of course intentionally, that is the time to step back. And I am proud to say I actually did it for once, yay. As always, thanks for advice!

 

[tlpcolorado]

Easy way to do it, leave in inside pad on the caliper after removeing. then use a c clamp and place one end over the pad and the other over the caliper body and slowly crank the c clamp down. Works every time!!

 

[GonOvr]

Unhook the break line to relieve pressure. Just make sure to bleed the brakes after.

Or undo the bleeder and close off when compressed. Top off reservoir, then no need to bleed.

 

[coloradodave]

C-clamp and wood.

 

[mikedks]

6 inch C-Clamp, took me 3 minutes.

I almost feel silly for having asked the question.

Thanks Again!

 

[ToyoTech]

with caliber, pads and rotor still installed. just remove wheels. take a pry bar to the lip of on pad and another pry bar to the center vented area of rotor. push the pad back a little. than do the other pad. once you can get 2 screw driver/pry bar in between the rotor and each of the pads. spread the pads apart and done.

 

[the_dingman]

AutoZone rents out a caliper tool. There's a deposit, but it washes to be free.