Basic brake caliper question

[jamesrose]

Hi all,

When changing the brake pads, obviously the pistons need to be squeezed back into the caliper to make the gap wider.

Is this as simple as just getting a large adjustable pipe wrench type thing and moving them back ? I assume the brake fluid reseviors will need to be opened to let the fluid level rise a little ?

Just dont want to damage anything...car is an SR4 with Hispec calipers.

Cheers,
James

[splitpin]

Dextrous use of good sized flat screwdriver (or flat of metal with nice rounded edges) used as a lever between the old pad in situ and a thin protective bit of hardwood or similar to the disc face does the job.

Yep, top loosened or off the applicable master cylinder and wrap a bit of kitchen roll to saveguard against any overrun - if it looks like pushing the pistons back could raise the level to overspill level, siphon a little off and chuck - never re-use brake fluid, it's cheap enough, so just not worth it.

[jamesrose]

Perfect, thanks very much.

[silverthorn2151]

Sorry to bump this but just seen it.

I always remove the caliper and use a g-clamp on a screwdriver across the piston and on the back of the caliper. Makes sure you keep it square and you can control the rate of piston push back.

Unless it's some damm fangled caliper that means the piston has to be turned to be driven back while being puched.

[BertBert]

I prefer to push the piston back squarely too. If you do have one that needs turning tne push-and-turn tool thingy's not that expensive from halfrauds.
Bert

[GeoffW]

yep, the point about keeping the pad square is more important than the need to exert pressure