Doing pads and rotors this evening, had a tough time compressing the pistons back in. I ended up opening the brake line and compressing it with the old pads since I am swapping to stainless lines anyways.

What is the easiest way to do this in the future?

 

Easiest or cheapest?

Easiest is brake pad spreader tool, at $229 (lol)

Cheapest is use a piece of wood or rubberized grip end of a set of channel-locks. Open the bleeder screw and use the rotor for a fulcrum point.

 

Any good source on one? I only have a simple one which definitely doesn't work on these calipers.

 

Source for what? Just get a thin block of wood or use the grip end of any number of hand tools.

I can link you the $229 pad spreader if you want, lolllllllll

 

I went and bought the Craftsman dual piston caliper tool to find out it did not fit the Brembos, so I used a C-clamp just like the old days. On the back used the block that has the different fitting and attaches to a 3/8 ratchet, also worked just fine. I perfer the C-clamp over the channel-locks since I have chipped the pads in the past with them.

 

+1 - c-clamps work as well as they always have.

Buying the spreader tool is kind of along the lines of buying a fanny pack around here :-)

 

With this method do you remove one bolt from the caliper mount and pivot it up?

 

Does not matter, had it hanging loose myself. I did it with the pads in place and just added a little pressure at a time, you can add a piece of wood, rubber or whatever but the clamp is still the best way to do it. Plus it will not leave teeth marks on the caliper.

 

I use this. $15 and works great.

You can buy it here (bottom of the page): http://fulltiltboogieracing.com/s197_brakes.htm

 

Ah you've posted that before, I'll add that to my shopping list. Do you open the bleed screw when you compress the pistons?

 

No. Some people suggest removing the reservoir cap, but I don't even like doing that. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time which is the main reason you have to change it. Opening the system just gives more opportunity for moisture in the air to absorb into the fluid. You can compress them with the system closed. You might have to go back and forth between the inner and outer pistons once or twice to get them fully seated as there is somewhat of a balloon effect. When you compress the outside pistons, the inside ones will push back out a bit, etc.

 

Well said