Piston compression tool?

ENT-Z · 06-10-2012, 10:00 PM

What are you guys doing when swapping brake pads for the track? When I went from stock to Carbotechs I had to compress pistons. I winged it with some channel locks and a rag to protect the piston and caliper. When I swapped back I didn't have to compress anything because the stock pads were thinner than the carbotechs. Do you guys recommend a compression tool of any sort?

cossie1600 · 06-10-2012, 11:28 PM

Amazon.com: OTC 7034 Disc Brake Pad Spreader: Automotive

vjarnot · 06-10-2012, 11:41 PM

I use a C clamp with a large socket on the piston for the clamp to push against.

SPOHN · 06-11-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Amazon.com: OTC 7034 Disc Brake Pad Spreader: Automotive

Nice

cossie1600 · 06-11-2012, 09:04 PM

When you change them as much as I do, tools like that, motive bleeder, cordless air pump, electric gas pumps are well worth it!

gomer_110 · 06-11-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Amazon.com: OTC 7034 Disc Brake Pad Spreader: Automotive

I know that autozone had a spreader in the loan-a-tool program back when I worked there if you're not looking to buy. Personally never used it as I've always just used the C-Clamp method.

Footloose301 · 06-12-2012, 12:13 PM

Pipe clamp.

vividracing · 06-12-2012, 12:22 PM

I've always used a c-clamp. Just make sure to wipe any debris off of the piston before pushing it back in. You can tear the outer dust boot and in some cases the inner seal if you get grit under the edges.

Mike · 06-12-2012, 07:20 PM

i always use two large flat bladed screwdrivers and do one side at a time. push the outer pistons in, insert pads, then push the inner pistons in and insert pads.

Baer383 · 06-12-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

i always use two large flat bladed screwdrivers and do one side at a time. push the outer pistons in, insert pads, then push the inner pistons in and insert pads.

This is the best way while at the track,good job Mike

ENT-Z · 06-12-2012, 10:50 PM

Thanks for the tips guys!

Liquid_G · 06-12-2012, 11:35 PM

Sorry to jump on your thread here, but had a similar question.. Just changed out my rotors and pads, and since the oem pads still had a lot of life in them, the new pads pretty much fit right in, only had to push the pistons back a hair to get them to go in..

Is it required that we crank the piston all the way back in when changing pads or will they even themselves out after a few stops?

The reason I ask is I installed the pads the other day and didn't drive the car since, I moved the car out to the driveway because I needed to move another car in and it felt like the brakes were dragging a little. I know I'm still supposed to bed the pads in.

Mike · 06-13-2012, 08:20 AM

you will be fine. They don't have to go all the way in, just far enough to fit the pads in, and the first brake application will push them back out to where they need to be. If they were fully pushed in, it might take two or three presses of the pedal at most.

fuct · 06-13-2012, 04:51 PM

i was able to use the tips of my fingers and push the piston back the 1/8" i needed. but like Mike said a flat head screw driver works.

remember you dont have to remove the caliper to slide out the pads.

Liquid_G · 06-13-2012, 08:27 PM

ok cool thanks guys.

06-10-2012, 10:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
ENT-Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 460 Drives: 09 MB 6MT 370Z Rep Power: 16	Piston compression tool? What are you guys doing when swapping brake pads for the track? When I went from stock to Carbotechs I had to compress pistons. I winged it with some channel locks and a rag to protect the piston and caliper. When I swapped back I didn't have to compress anything because the stock pads were thinner than the carbotechs. Do you guys recommend a compression tool of any sort?

06-12-2012, 12:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	Pipe clamp. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

06-12-2012, 12:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
vividracing The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Age: 38 Posts: 7,306 Drives: 350Z,370Z,GTR Rep Power: 39	I've always used a c-clamp. Just make sure to wipe any debris off of the piston before pushing it back in. You can tear the outer dust boot and in some cases the inner seal if you get grit under the edges. __________________ Rocky @ Vivid ♦ 480.966.3040 x236 ♦ Rocky@vividracing.com Email, PM, or call me directly for aggressive The370Z.com member pricing!!!

06-12-2012, 07:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	i always use two large flat bladed screwdrivers and do one side at a time. push the outer pistons in, insert pads, then push the inner pistons in and insert pads. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

06-12-2012, 11:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 44	Sorry to jump on your thread here, but had a similar question.. Just changed out my rotors and pads, and since the oem pads still had a lot of life in them, the new pads pretty much fit right in, only had to push the pistons back a hair to get them to go in.. Is it required that we crank the piston all the way back in when changing pads or will they even themselves out after a few stops? The reason I ask is I installed the pads the other day and didn't drive the car since, I moved the car out to the driveway because I needed to move another car in and it felt like the brakes were dragging a little. I know I'm still supposed to bed the pads in. __________________

06-10-2012, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	Amazon.com: OTC 7034 Disc Brake Pad Spreader: Automotive

06-10-2012, 11:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
vjarnot Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Mathews, AL Posts: 68 Drives: 2012 370Z Base SP M6 Rep Power: 13	I use a C clamp with a large socket on the piston for the clamp to push against.

06-11-2012, 09:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	When you change them as much as I do, tools like that, motive bleeder, cordless air pump, electric gas pumps are well worth it!

06-12-2012, 10:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
ENT-Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 460 Drives: 09 MB 6MT 370Z Rep Power: 16	Thanks for the tips guys!

06-13-2012, 08:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	you will be fine. They don't have to go all the way in, just far enough to fit the pads in, and the first brake application will push them back out to where they need to be. If they were fully pushed in, it might take two or three presses of the pedal at most. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

06-13-2012, 04:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	i was able to use the tips of my fingers and push the piston back the 1/8" i needed. but like Mike said a flat head screw driver works. remember you dont have to remove the caliper to slide out the pads.

06-13-2012, 08:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 44	ok cool thanks guys. __________________

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