Tips for pushing rotating back caliper pistons

[tcagle]

Hi all...I figured I could simply use pliers to turn the back caliper piston in but no luck (I could turn it with great effort but not get enough leverage on it to also push it in). Any tips on how to do this (other than take it to someone who can)? What has worked for you?

Thanks.

[98RedGTS]

Just buy the correct tool to do it. It's stupid cheap or you could even rent it from your local autozone for $0. I just bought my own set so I don't have to go back and forth to the store when doing any of my cars.

https://www.amazon.com/OrionMotorTec...e+caliper+tool

[GTS Dean]

needle-nosed pliers work just fine.

[smhog]

Are you holding the caliper in your hand? I've found it easier to bolt the caliper back in place and try it then.

[Fatboy 18]

^
This, they take some effort to turn back, (Steady slow rotational twist while applying pressure), bolt the caliper back up to the car and use strong needle nose pliers.

You need to remove the disc

[Steve-Indy]

Sometimes, one must "nudge" the piston in a counter-clockwise direction before one can go clockwise in order to reseat the piston.

[40mm]

Definitely bolt it into place without the rotor on.
If you pull the dust boot out with a thin screwdriver, stick a WD40 straw in and flood it and let it sit a while, once it does move the lube will help. Really the only thing can be sticking is the dust boot and the piston to its seal down inside the bore about 1/4".

They can be so tight to rotate that I've sheared the special tools nibs off.

My go-to backup is a strong set of long nose needle-nose pliers and a long screwdriver.
Push the pliers in hard and keep as much pressure as possible- use the screwdriver for twisting leverage by putting its tip in the gap just outside the hinge of the pliers. Then work it both ways, get it freed up now- it won't be any easier the next time you need to do it.

[tcagle]

Thanks guys and 98RedGTS thanks for the tool suggestion.

[Viper98]

I did this just last weekend. Borrowed tool from local auto store. No good. Did not have the correct nib centerline. Then went to neighbors, telling him what I’m doing, asked if he had a set and it was the same set, only in a blue case.
I tell him it doesn’t work either. “Oh” he says, “just use some good strong needle nose.”
“I have read they are very difficult to move.”
He says, “No, not really. Be sure to keep constant pressure once it moves. No worries.”
So, caliper bolted in place and Channelock needles nose pliers in hand I went for it. Yep, just like he said, once it started moving it set very easy. At first I was confused as to why the boot was sitting outside of the piston, but quickly concluded that is proper setting.
It’s went pretty easy for me.
Hope it goes the same for you.

Jer’

[The Stig]

habour freight by the kit to perform the task