Easy and Cheap way to Compress a Brake Caliper Piston Without Any Special Tools

This is a cheap and simple way to compress a brake caliper piston without the need for any special tools. All you need is a couple of small pieces of wood and a couple of screwdrivers. This method works with most front brake calipers as the pistons push straight back into the caliper. It will not work with most rear brake caliper pistons as they have to be rotated as they are being pushed in due to the integrated handbrake mechanism. This video shows how to compress a rear brake caliper both with, and without special tools: • Rear Brake Caliper Pis...
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[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Here's a video showing how to compress a rear caliper piston both with, and without special tools: ua-cam.com/video/BsYGc5nxdpg/v-deo.html

[@LloydBrodrick-ne5ei]

I tend to use my wood working trigger clamp but have also used those door lifting air bags.

[@RockinProfessor]

Nice QUIET Video....just the welcome sounds of happy bird calls in background....🐦🐦❤

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@TheInevitableHulk]

Using the old brake pads is very clever. The applied force is evenly distributed and any damage that could occur would only be to the old brake pads that you're going to throw out any way. Thanks so much.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching !

[@jacksrus]

Retired, but every days a school day, great tip thanks for your time doing this video

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !, thanks for watching !

[@robertmartin1269]

Just did this with the 2 screw drivers, worked like a charm!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching my video. If you found this or any of my other videos helpful, maybe you could consider supporting my channel by using the ‘Thanks’ button below each of my videos. Your support would be really appreciated, thank you ! 👍
Screwsnutsandbolts

[@jeffsadowski7759]

Thank you sir! You saved the day. Was doing a brake pad job and I didn't have a C clamp. Had a caliper tool, but the piston wouldn't budge. Found a block of wood and this worked like a charm. God bless you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome

[@maggot238]

Loaned my tool out for the job and wasn't sure what to do. The screwdriver trick worked perfectly

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@stevenvecciarelli4679]

Lifesaver. I've done plenty of brake jobs and never had a problem compressing the caliper with a C clamp but today it would not budge. I was ready to give up and buy a new caliper thinking it was bad but then I came across the trick with the screwdrivers and it worked like a charm. I don't think I will ever use a C clamp again. Thanks.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@olenaerhardt7725]

That is a great technique I've never seen before. What I like in this approach that you can compress the piston without removing pads. On one of our cars (2003 Chevy Cavalier) the outer pad is locked w/special clamps, you need to have 2 screwdriver to put it back. And sometimes you just need to remove the caliper fm/the disc for other jobs. It is usually hard for me to put the caliper back on the disc, though I open the brake fluid cap. Thank you for this so clever tip.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching !

[@markwilliams2830]

What a great tip! Thanks also for demonstrating the Cube.I wasn't aware that such a tool was available. Much cheaper than the standard one. Thanks again for a great channel.M

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you as always :)

[@user-bm6tb7gy1y]

Excellent advise. Great Video.

[@aala7337]

Happened to do this yesterday changing brake pads used the wood method,worked a treat!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@babygurlcrazy]

You just saved me! With using the old brake pad trick 💕🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@iWalkChris]

Wow! Very smooth! Well done!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@CodyShell]

I did exactly this but I used a pair of channel lock pliers in between the old brake pads instead of the wood. It worked!

[@PhunkyChikin]

Brilliant! Excellent video. Thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@joethetraveller2755]

My mechanic told me to buy a new one but i kept searching videos and could find yours. Thank you so much for this awesome video!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@stormman8393]

Such great detail. Champion for posting

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@BenjaminGonzalez-wv3cy]

That was a great lesson, thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome!

[@RideAMAP]

Best video on the UA-cam. Been working on cars for 40 years and just now I see this?! so much time wasted!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@chooseanameforme888]

Brilliant!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@ScreamingRabbits]

Love you for this right now.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@savinggracechurch4112]

Brilliant video thanks for uploading.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@javatar1900]

great video, thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You are welcome!

[@frankhoward7645]

Great video. Here's a tip. Before you compress the piston, spray the rubber dust shield with silicon. It will prolong the life of the rubber.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for the info!

[@reallychadical]

Bless you.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@Johny40Se7en]

Brilliant tips using the pieces of wood. Wood's better because they won't wreck the brake pads(if you plan to reuse them).

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@galimusic7164]

Excellent explanation! I will try your method as soon as i have to replace the pads (never replaced them as a DIY mechanic, by the way) Thanks:)

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@lancetaylor6976]

Thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you very much Lance, I appreciate your support ! 👍👍

[@ab-kn1gg]

Wow! Thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@chachouachokri7860]

Many thanks for this easy way. I will try it next time.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome :)

[@imwmanish]

Great 👍 work ✅

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@KINGCVSEY]

BLESSS YOUUUU!! A big pain in the ass (I literally used a mini square of wood) but my caliper is now compressed with the screwdriver method. Thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching !

[@cleeguitar]

For whatever reason I couldn’t be bothered to think this through. I became irritated with myself for procrastinating on UA-cam as a ‘shortcut.’ I got chills from the sound of chirping birds in the background as I understood that I was getting what I actually needed: self-compassion, gratitude, a still mind. Oh yeah, and the practical solution that I needed.

[@leninvega3158]

Thanks for the info.. I was so close to calling it quits. Thanks alot

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@samwu8070]

wow, it's such a clever maneuver.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@DavidxLB]

This got me out of a tight spot, thank you

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@gabrielortiz9594]

aye man I did this right here and it worked perfectly, thanks.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@robertgarrett7007]

Damn! That works great. Wish I’d known this years ago. I’ve been using a c-clamp. Thank You!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@andrewthacker114]

Thanks for sharing

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@comedycafe3262]

I use a big C clamp against the old brake pad and gently tighten it. Compresses the piston evenly. Very easy to do.

[@jayjaynella4539]

I use a 6 inch c clamp. And or compressed air with a block of wood to keep the piston in its bore, but be free to remove the piston after the blast.

[@nevinkuser9892]

That is indeed the best way. C clamps are cheap too. Not a specialized tool by any means.

[@VykersTechTips]

same here im using c clamp

[@Tuan-DuongNgo]

So So smart SIR!!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@Tripp111]

Thank you.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@kaleabzenebe1407]

Thank you very much sir, u saved me a lotttt of trouble

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome

[@abdelhafidramdani7393]

Thanks man, nice.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@7maszi7]

I can confirm the wood method works :D Thanks for sharing

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@dtownzfinest8608]

Saved me time and money 💡

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@danstheory4164]

Instead of wood planks, i use a pair of wrenches and the old brake pads. Thanks for the idea. It saved me a lot of time looking for clamps.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@SAM-tw6ld]

Nice and simple idea..❤

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@mumtazzafar1576]

Great great tip pal. Thnx so much

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

No problem 👍

[@khalidarshad3448]

I have got the rotation ones any simpler way to do them please please very good and clever trick

[@patrikandersson703]

Thanks. Really helped me alot

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@KilosFlo]

Omg worked like a charm just gotta be strong to do it😂

[@krazy.88]

bravismo. that worked great. thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You''re welcome !

[@ltfkdk861]

nice one!!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@jamkpa]

Good ideas.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks!

[@godblessyou9743]

That if F'ing class mate 👌 definitely doing it this way don't have the tool anymore and apparently never needed it. If you came up with this idea you're a genius

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you ! :)

[@DDOAgaming]

I was about to lose my sanity..then I watched this video..worked great. Thank you

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching !

[@jury1phok]

You're video saved the day, um now night lol could NOT get the AutoZone compression tool to work watch this helped me understand how the tool worked. Next time I'll save $60 rental fee and get a block of wood lol

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome lol :)

[@troytavarez3883]

😀thank you so much friend i really needed to learn this. 🙂🙂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@MainGhoul]

Thanks for the idea

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@patosaavedra1]

you saved my life, thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@homeschoolingandawareness]

You just saved me some money. Thanks. 👍🏿

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@Zly-Porucznik]

What a great idea!!! No need to buy any spreader tool especially to be used probably only once in my live. I know similar old school idea with two crowbars, but this is more efficient and safe. Crowbars can slip and make some dents to car body or damage the paint. Thanks

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching !

[@AcuraJ32]

Nice work!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks!

[@oscaraguilar4024]

Excelent video, 👍👍👍👍👍👍😌😌😊 it is very usefull for me, i liked ir so much, thanks you so much i going to put on practice

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching ! :)

[@kurniawanayyas6362]

Absolutely Good idea

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you :)

[@bradi5050]

I just put an old break pad against the piston n use a c clamp works great only time I do it diff is when there screw in pistons then I use the tool for that

[@besmart6063]

That helped me

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@jacobuskai4594]

Thanks buddie!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@nikosilvis4568]

Your a life saver my brakes started grinding so I went to replace them realized I didn’t have a C clamp and thought I was screwed

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@richardhampton4612]

I’ve used a G clamp for this on many many vehicles… as it’s tightened by hand it’s very slow and gentle…

[@Wheelingoffthewrench]

I compress calipers before pulling. Sometimes a pry bar works but I jus use a c-clamp

[@topautos]

Excellent video

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you very much! :)

[@philmissen2365]

Too easy, thanks

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@SERNACN]

Just take your big "C" style PETERSON VISE GRIPS and place one jaw on the piston and the other jaw on the back of the caliper, jaws open wide, and squeeze while adjusting the opening of the jaws tighter as you go, leave Vise grips on till your done.

[@javalos3655]

Just used this technique at 1am . You sir are a life saver

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@javalos3655]

Used it again on the front breaks 😤 haha

[@moisesr7840]

I met this Guatemalan guy who would come up with techniques like such, him growing up poor couldn't buy tools he had to figure things out with whatever he can come up with and improvised tools.
He once patched my flat bicycle tire by just pulling the hole and tying it with 15 inches of waxed thread cord.
That tired never leaked.

[@jayclippers3592]

Thanks really helpful

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@waveyting3788]

wow thank you so much 👍🏽

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome! :)

[@lanky6297]

This is nice and easy thanx a lot

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@sprayatwill]

Thank you sir 👍🏾

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@ThomasNappo]

Well done bro..

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@abnwil3873]

Absolute legend

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@jamesmartin7559]

Like that idea bro👍

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@silasmar8352]

And thanks for helping

[@FairladyZ1991]

Thank you, Sir/Ma'am!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome!

[@murryslims9695]

Very creative and thank you for sharing your video. I really enjoyed watching the technique.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@muhaiminmason2956]

Channel locks work pretty well too.

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

Thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@timkayjr2958]

Saved my ass after the kids lost the C Clamp and the car is already all apart with no ride to buy another one
I appreciate you👍

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome ! :)

[@kaleabzenebe1407]

Sameee

[@martinhann1672]

Why didn’t I think of this! However, in my opinion, the bleed nipple should be opened to release the fluid displaced by the calliper piston as it’s pushed back. The reason? The fluid in the calliper is old and has been subject to a lot of heat so should be discarded. Also, as the fluid is pushed back into the master cylinder, it can occasionally push back the floating piston where it can stick because it travels into the unused part of the cylinder.

[@glennsampson5945]

That's a nice method. I've always used a C-clamp and the old brake pad to compress the piston.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@bodiemitchell3091]

My savior

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@hanandezmuamaarr7809]

very helpful

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@705johnnyboy]

i use a small g clamp and can never find the dam thing when i want it .great idea ,i will try this when my pads are ready cheers...

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome

[@094340]

Excellent hack!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@silasfirsthand]

This did the trick. The simple physics of leverage. Thanks a million bud.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@mrsmith5102]

Bro thanks for showing this, I'm with this problem now because none of these mechanic gurus showed that I need to move piston back while replacing brake pads 😢