That I can use to push back the pistons on the front calipers when changing pads? I know mazda makes one as a special tool, but have't seen any others out there. does anybody make a nice one or will I have to?

Tom

 

I use a large C-clamp, with about a 6" throat. Open it up full, put the top of the clamp on the back side of the caliper and the moving part in the center of the piston, and it'll go right in. Remember to take the top of the brake master cylinder off and remove about an inch of fluid, or it'll come out over the top when you push in the pistons.

 

Forgot to mention that this method is for single piston calipers. It might also work w/4 piston calipers if you put the top of the clamp on the piston and the moving part on the outside of the calpier.

 

Easiest way by far is to just get a set of large channel-lock pliers (also called Tongue & Groove pliers). Use the pad backing plate to push the pistons back into the calipers, go back and forth between the two pistons a little bit at a time, pad will come right out.

 

Using a C-clamp is a lot easier than the channel locks. You can do each piston individually or try using the old pad as a level and clamp both pistons at once. Channel locks scratch up your calipers.

 

Yes, channel locks will scratch your calipers. Personally I don't care, but there are certainly those who do. However I started out using a C-clamp, and found that it equally scratched up the calipers (unless you have some sort of padding on the ends?), and wasn't nearly as easy for me as a big pliers. I prefer the channel-locks just for the speed factor now since most of my pad changes are done at the track.

Is there some secret to doing it with a C-clamp that I don't know about?

 

If you can't find one or don't want to pay the price then make one yourself. The tool is a bolt that spreads two metal plates apart to depress the calipers and open the calipers enough to allow replacement of the pads.

You'll need one bolt, 3-4 nuts and two 2"x3"x1/8" or 3/16" steel plates. You turn the nuts in opposite directions and push the plates against the pads or calipers to retract the pistons until there is enough room to insert the new pads. Uses the same principle as a turnbolt to tighten or loosen cables.

 

if i remember correctly, you have to "screw" or turn the GXL TII brakes back in. i think it might be on the rears. The haynes can tell you.

 

The rear pistons must be screwed back in due to the operation of the emergency brake, but the front calipers have to be pushed.

 

C-clamp works great on the fronts.... rears need to be rotated to get the piston back in. Don't inhale the dust

 

You guys are ALL DOING IT WRONG....A scraper/large screwdriver from behind the caliper, pry the pads away from the disc working back, and forth. Do not remove the caliper from the car. Slide the old pads out, new pads in. Total time 5 minutes per side. If you are re-using the pads use something a little wider like the scraper so you do not damage the pads. Carl

 

Carl, I always did it that way too until I bought this tool from Mazda Motorsports. Now it's even easier! Slip the old pads out, insert the tool from the rear of the caliper and tighten to retract pistons, insert new pads. The "paddles" on the tool are big enough to push all four pistons back at once.

0000-09-0216 DISC BRAKE EXPANSION TOOL $29

 

Damon,

That's my dream tool. I'm just too lazy to do a few AutoX's a year to get one.

I use a 23 or 24mm wrench (those are big enough to be about the same size as the pistons) wrapped in a shop towel to push the front pistons back. Works really well and doesn't damage anything.

 

I do the same thing, but with 2 screwdrivers. Use 1 on each side and pry the pads away from the rotor before removing the caliper.

 

Carl's point is that you don't need to remove the caliper.

 

I understood that, but maybe he's doing rotors too.....

 

Kragen has one for $11

 

There is a company called "lisle tools" that makes job specific tools. You can normally find them in local parts stores at very reasonable prices. They have a brake pad speader similar to the one damonB posted as well as a tool for turning in the rear caliper. I listed a pick of both below.

 

^ Unfortunately that spreader won't work on 4 pot brakes, it will only do single piston brakes. On a 4 pot there's no room for the screw mechanism to stick out of the caliper.

 

Damon, I really like that MS piece, Gotta get it