Changing brake pads, do I need c-clamp?

04-07-2015 1:04am #1

dont want to go buy one can I use anything else to retract pistons, and also how do you know how far to push pistons back

ShaunieVW · 04-07-2015 1:20am

TheJiggaman wrote: »

dont want to go buy one can I use anything else to retract pistons, and also how do you no how far to push pistons back

There is a tool to do that for you it also rewinds rear calipers with the right attachment supplied. I think I paid 24 euro for one. Well worth it.

You could go ahead with the old 2 long screwdrivers leveraged on the caliper to push back the piston but it's messy and will end up with many grazed knuckles.

A g-clamp as I'd call it works well but you need something between it and the piston to push it back as it needs to be done evenly and slowly enough.

challengemaster · 04-07-2015 1:23am

Thankfully, the old brake pad is the ideal thing to use between clamp and piston.

kay 9 · 04-07-2015 9:36am

Are you going to clamp the brake line and open bleed screw? Have heard horror stories of abs packs/servos not liking the back pressure on some newer cars. Only takes a couple of extra Mins and get someone to give ya have bleeding at the end. I do it anymore to be on the safe side

biko · 04-07-2015 3:10pm

Yes for front pads I'd say you do need a c-clamp. It's not expensive.

joujoujou · 05-07-2015 9:43am

No need for c-clamp, you can use F-clamp instead.

Having some basic experience would be enough to not to use any clamp to push pistons back.

Some examples:

(I would not recommend this one TBH)

Above one is the one I used sometimes, but with spanners instead of screwdrivers:

Changing brake pads, do I need c-clamp?

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