catfish79 Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 Hi Guys.Im going to change front pads.I expect to have to push pistons a long way back into the Caliper to make room.What size G clamp will I need to push the piston back in.Small as 3” or big as 12”?Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catfish79 Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Any one please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke4efc Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 If you're about to buy a g-clamp to do this job, don't bother. Get a proper toolset with all the different pieces, such as this this tool which will work for just about every caliper out there. If you ever do a rear caliper you'll probably find the piston is on threads so a g-clamp wont work. These are a lot less fiddly than a g-clamp and dont have to use an old brake pad to use it lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frembrit Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 I agree with Luke. I used to push the pistons back by hand on my Sierra but when I got my the ST24 in 2003 I needed a proper wind back tool to do the rear calipers so bought a kit similar to the link above. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamweb Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 23 hours ago, catfish79 said: Hi Guys.Im going to change front pads.I expect to have to push pistons a long way back into the Caliper to make room.What size G clamp will I need to push the piston back in.Small as 3” or big as 12”?Thanks Trying to push MK1 front pistons back does't always work by hand.You could loosen the brake nipples just enough to make it easier though.I use a large pair of pliers👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Heaton Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 Yes, I have a wind/pushback tool, works on both kinds of calipers. it's just this cheap one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAKE-CALIPER-PISTON-REWIND-TOOL-RIGHT-HANDED-SET-WIND-BACK-KIT-UNIVERSAL-1557i/322435565020 but it does the job. Well worth getting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjt Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 I've successfully used a G-clamp for many years on the front calipers. The screw pad goes inside the piston to the bottom. Nowadays I use the method recommended by Haynes to clamp the hose and open the bleed screw whilst pushing back. This does, at least, get rid of any fluid that might have become contaminated with moisture. I've never had any problems with the master cylinder seals flipping in the past, though. I think the secret is not to push back too quickly so as not to build up too much pressure in the lines. As a matter of curiosity does anyone know why the rear pistons are threaded? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsFocus Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 16 minutes ago, mjt said: As a matter of curiosity does anyone know why the rear pistons are threaded? The handbrake mechanism auto-adjusts by twisting forward as the pads wear. For front pads I just wedge a small pry bar between the old disc and pad to lever them open, saves all this faffing with G clamps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke4efc Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 6 hours ago, Guy Heaton said: Yes, I have a wind/pushback tool, works on both kinds of calipers. it's just this cheap one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAKE-CALIPER-PISTON-REWIND-TOOL-RIGHT-HANDED-SET-WIND-BACK-KIT-UNIVERSAL-1557i/322435565020 but it does the job. Well worth getting They're all well and good till you come across a caliper with a left hand thread lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetta Posted May 14, 2020 Share Posted May 14, 2020 i use a valve spring compressor on front calipers, pretty much the same as g clamp. just happened to be what was laying around when I was trying to improvise one day 30 years ago and used it ever since 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil3747 Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 5/14/2020 at 1:08 PM, TomsFocus said: The handbrake mechanism auto-adjusts by twisting forward as the pads wear. For front pads I just wedge a small pry bar between the old disc and pad to lever them open, saves all this faffing with G clamps! I've been using a large screwdriver to push the front pistons back in for 35 years now...I do have a wind-back tool for the rears though 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catfish79 Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Cheers Guys.Looks like it will be the proper tool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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