so im doing the rear brakes this coming sunday and I have read a article or two that have talked about using a special tool (basically a C clamp with notches) to push the pistons back into the caliper. Will a basic C clamp work to push the pistons back in or do i need a specialized C clamp with the notches in it?
Thanks

 

^ I know it's a basic Q but i dont want to use a basic C clamp and find out later that it screwed up the calipers

 

you need a special tool. the rear calipers have knotches in them that are used to turn the piston clockwise while it retracts. just go to an auto parts store and ask them for the tool to rotate caliper pistons. its a cube and will work with many vehicles OEM/Rear disc brake cube for use with 3/8 in. drive tool (25071) | | AutoZone.com forgot to mentions a quick tip. youll need to cpush in on the piston while turning. if it really doesnt want to go, you can crack the bleeder, but you shouldnt have to

 

When I did mine I bought pads and rotors from ecs, and the 9.99 "caliper pistol compressor tool."

It would of worked If i messed with it for an hour.. my mechanic friend stopped by and just used a huge c clamp.

 

The rear brake pistons need to be rotated. Advance auto rents a tool kit that I prefer over the little cube. Plus it's free.

 

Agreed - at least at my local store, the cube doesn't work well because none of the six sides have pegs at the proper spacing to fit nicely in the caliper piston notches. Plus, you have to supply all the force pushing in while turning. I have the Audi piston tool from ECS which has a brake pad-shaped shim on it. While you turn the handle to screw in the piston, counterthreads on the shim force it against the outer pad retainer on the caliper, and it supplies the pressure. Well worth getting that tool.

 

I have always used a c clamp . I have an old one where there's no swivel head it's sold so it turns the piston. I have always used a normal c clamp just use a pair of pliers and twist it a little first to tell it that it needs to twist other than that the c clamp does the rest. The tool is a convince it just makes it easier.

 

^ I've also done pretty much the above when I was working on my RX7. Just a pair of needle noise pliers was all I needed to screw the piston in.

 

its really not that hard, I've done about 10-15 rear brake jobs and have yet to buy the tool.

 

as above, I use needle nose pliers to push and turn it in.