What caliper piston compression tool?

[VictorH]

What do you guys like for a brake caliper piston retractor tool?
I'm tired of using my hands, then I switched to pieces of wood, but now I think I finally need to invest in a decent proper brake caliper compression tool.

I don't want one of those skinny little ones that does two pistons across from each other tool. I want one that will do all 4 pistons at once (I don't have 6 piston front). Yes, it's a convenience but I think it's finally time. What do you recommend and where do I buy?

[randrews15]

Originally Posted by VictorH

What do you guys like for a brake caliper piston retractor tool?
I'm tired of using my hands, then I switched to pieces of wood, but now I think I finally need to invest in a decent proper brake caliper compression tool.

I don't want one of those skinny little ones that does two pistons across from each other tool. I want one that will do all 4 pistons at once (I don't have 6 piston front). Yes, it's a convenience but I think it's finally time. What do you recommend and where do I buy?

I bought one from ECS that is made by Lisle that can be used on dual piston setups if needed. It has a super easy squeeze grip that and a release handle. Best $60 bucks that I spent and works faster than a "C" clamp.

[roastbeef]

i'm tired of my lisle tool. cheap handles have enough flex to lose about 1/2" of travel or spreading force. not super strong. it does ok, but it also doesn't release or "ratchet" like it should. i have to cycle it with my fingers. better than nothing, but i think i'll be buying the girodisk for $200.

[bigjae1976]

The Lisle 29100 Quick Quad Pad Spreader is the one you want. $50 from Amazon. There's a release tab that you can actuate with your thumb.

[ayao]

I use this one (Lang caliper press): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079GQKDE
It works well enough for stock singe piston calipers. On a BBK with multiple pistons it takes slightly more time.
The Girodisc mentioned above is aspirational and total Tool Porn. I want it.

[kyippee]

I haven't found a great one yet. Using Lisle quad pad spreader but I still need to push the pads back and use a thin spare pad's backing plate to spread the pistons properly. (6 piston front brakes)

[aus]

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-29100-Q...omotive&sr=1-7

Sometimes you need to spread the pads, and then stick it between the pads and rotor to open things up more.
.

[msan]

This is the best

https://competitionmotorsport.com/gd...SABEgLzIvD_BwE

[dogbone]

I have the Girodisc orange spreader. It’s great. The only downside on my Essex AP 9668 caliper that fits 25mm pads is that it can’t push the pistons all the way back because it doesn’t open wide enough. I had to fashion a series of metal plates as spacers. I tape them onto the tool as needed. I can’t budge the Essex pistons without the tool. With my old AP calipers, I could press the pistons in with my fingers.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by kpewpew

I haven't found a great one yet. Using Lisle quad pad spreader but I still need to push the pads back and use a thin spare pad's backing plate to spread the pistons properly. (6 piston front brakes)

That's kinda how they work. Spread on the pads to start it so you can get the pads out.

I don't know...unless you have to do a pad change mid session and get back out to win the HPDE trophy...another 30 seconds isn't worth carrying a bulky $200 tool around.

Despite that, I can still change pads...2 people, all 4 corners...10 minutes. Stoptech 4 pots.

[kyippee]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

That's kinda how they work. Spread on the pads to start it so you can get the pads out.

I don't know...unless you have to do a pad change mid session and get back out to win the HPDE trophy...another 30 seconds isn't worth carrying a bulky $200 tool around.

Despite that, I can still change pads...2 people, all 4 corners...10 minutes. Stoptech 4 pots.

Yup. I pretty much just use a pry bar now and have to use my fingers to push in pistons individually. Kind of annoying to get them all to retract enough to fit a brand new pad!

[VictorH]

Well, that's the problem and nuisance too, when you push in one piston by hand the other piston on the same side comes out. Then I would wedge in a piece of wood on the side I wasn't pushing on to keep the piston there.

Sure you don't NEED a fancy tool, but I have a friend who has 6 piston front calipers with a permanent bridge so the caliper must come off (pads change out the bottom). That beast is heavy and to hold the caliper and then try to get each of those 6 pistons in for the new pads is a nuisance. Did this at the last track event and it wasn't that fun and I'm not sure one person could do it alone.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

That's kinda how they work. Spread on the pads to start it so you can get the pads out.

I don't know...unless you have to do a pad change mid session and get back out to win the HPDE trophy...another 30 seconds isn't worth carrying a bulky $200 tool around.

Despite that, I can still change pads...2 people, all 4 corners...10 minutes. Stoptech 4 pots.

well, its not about the time for me. its about things working right. i hate that the lisle spreader isn't rigid enough to set the pistons. the damn thing gets to a certain point and flexes in my hand like one of those exercise squeezers. do your stoptechs have knockback springs? if they don't, it might explain why pushing two pistons in isn't a big deal.
swapping in a used set isn't bad, but a new set blows.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

well, its not about the time for me. its about things working right. i hate that the lisle spreader isn't rigid enough to set the pistons. the damn thing gets to a certain point and flexes in my hand like one of those exercise squeezers. do your stoptechs have knockback springs? if they don't, it might explain why pushing two pistons in isn't a big deal.
swapping in a used set isn't bad, but a new set blows.

I don't have springs but I can't imagine them providing enough resistance to make it extremely difficult where I need more leverage. You're supposed to jack against to the top of the pad, remove the pad and then stick the spreader down into the caliper and then engage the tool.

My one complaint is that it needs more travel because I have to stop and then stick a set of old pads to get the pistons fully compressed to get new pads in.

6 pots are a PIA no matter what, at least the stoptechs.

[M3MPH1S]

I've broken 3 caliper spreading tools and finally it dawned on me while walking through harbor freight that this set of pliers might be good. Turns out it's perfect. Less than $20 and you would have to try pretty damn hard to break them.

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-in-...ers-64461.html

[redpriest]

I use a combination of the Lisle tool and a slim socket wrench wrapped in a cotton towel. It gets the job done. The Lisle tool is not perfect, but it is a decent time saver - you have to reposition it constantly, and with a 6 piston brake it won't depress all of them simultaneously. It's not annoying enough for me to pay $200 on a replacement.

If I'm feeling particularly lazy, the socket wrench works fine. I only have the cotton to prevent nicking and marring the pistons on my essex 9660 caliper.

[dparm]

The Lisle one stinks if you have a larger caliper. It didn't even work on my StopTech ST40 kit. It's probably fine for a stock caliper.

I would just invest in the GiroDisc and be done with it. Buy it once and use it forever.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by msan

This is the best

https://competitionmotorsport.com/gd...SABEgLzIvD_BwE

just bought this. Life is too short to use that abomination known as the Lisle tool

[msan]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

just bought this. Life is too short to use that abomination known as the Lisle tool

Awesome buy especially if you have 6 pot calipers! Enjoy all the time you will save!!

Also, if you ever don't need it anymore I am sure you will get some money back selling it used.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by msan

Awesome buy especially if you have 6 pot calipers! Enjoy all the time you will save!!

Also, if you ever don't need it anymore I am sure you will get some money back selling it used.

I have a full PFC bbk on one car and a front-only on the other. They are massive 4 piston brakes, I look forward to doing this properly.

It hasn't been an issue because at 28mm thick it's rare to change pads, but still, nothing like having the right tool for the job