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: czcams.com/video/BsYGc5nxdpg/video.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 !

[@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

[@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 !

[@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

[@aala7337]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@robertmartin1269]

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

[@PhunkyChikin]

Brilliant! Excellent video. Thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@iWalkChris]

Wow! Very smooth! Well done!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@savinggracechurch4112]

Brilliant video thanks for uploading.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@babygurlcrazy]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@RideAMAP]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@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

[@ScreamingRabbits]

Love you for this right now.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@DavidxLB]

This got me out of a tight spot, thank you

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@javatar1900]

great video, thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You are welcome!

[@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 !

[@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!

[@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 !

[@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 :)

[@samwu8070]

wow, it's such a clever maneuver.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@cleeguitar]

For whatever reason I couldn’t be bothered to think this through. I became irritated with myself for procrastinating on CZcams 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.

[@philmissen2365]

Too easy, thanks

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@reallychadical]

Bless you.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@AcuraJ32]

Nice work!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks!

[@andrewthacker114]

Thanks for sharing

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@abdelhafidramdani7393]

Thanks man, nice.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@lancetaylor6976]

Thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

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

[@ab-kn1gg]

Wow! Thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@SAM-tw6ld]

Nice and simple idea..❤

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@Tuan-DuongNgo]

So So smart SIR!!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@Tripp111]

Thank you.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@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 !

[@dtownzfinest8608]

Saved me time and money 💡

[@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 !

[@chachouachokri7860]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're 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 !

[@leninvega3158]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@jamkpa]

Good ideas.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks!

[@ltfkdk861]

nice one!!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@gabrielortiz9594]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@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 !

[@7maszi7]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@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 !

[@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 !

[@jacobuskai4594]

Thanks buddie!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@ThomasNappo]

Well done bro..

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@besmart6063]

That helped me

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@kaleabzenebe1407]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome

[@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.

[@homeschoolingandawareness]

You just saved me some money. Thanks. 👍🏿

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@mumtazzafar1576]

Great great tip pal. Thnx so much

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

No problem 👍

[@troytavarez3883]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@khalidarshad3448]

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

[@krazy.88]

bravismo. that worked great. thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You''re welcome !

[@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

[@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 !

[@imwmanish]

Great 👍 work ✅

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davidqi8073]

OMG, I don’t know who this guy is but if I ever meet him, I will kiss him! What a life saver! Love you bro!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks lol

[@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 :)

[@patosaavedra1]

you saved my life, thanks!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@KilosFlo]

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

[@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 ! :)

[@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

[@patrikandersson703]

Thanks. Really helped me alot

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@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

[@MainGhoul]

Thanks for the idea

[@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 !

[@Wheelingoffthewrench]

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

[@kurniawanayyas6362]

Absolutely Good idea

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you :)

[@topautos]

Excellent video

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you very much! :)

[@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…

[@jamesmartin7559]

Like that idea bro👍

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@cassk9999]

Excellent video another TIP, remember to clean the rubber boot cover on the piston before you push dust and crud back into the pistons prolongs their life and prevent them seizing up

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you, and thanks for the tip !

[@frankhoward7645]

Best thing to do is spray some silicone on the rubber dust cover before pushing it back in. Silicone will extend the life of the rubber cover.

[@404SportzCardz]

With what?

[@murryslims9695]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !

[@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 !

[@silasmar8352]

And thanks for helping

[@Kalle398]

Phantastischer Trick, um den Kolben reinzudrücken.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@waveyting3788]

wow thank you so much 👍🏽

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome! :)

[@sprayatwill]

Thank you sir 👍🏾

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome !

[@FairladyZ1991]

Thank you, Sir/Ma'am!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're very welcome!

[@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 ! :)

[@lanky6297]

This is nice and easy thanx a lot

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@abnwil3873]

Absolute legend

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

Thank you!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome!

[@bodiemitchell3091]

My savior

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@glennsampson5945]

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

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@resistireland694]

Brilliant...

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@hanandezmuamaarr7809]

very helpful

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@094340]

Excellent hack!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@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

[@Passengervehicles]

Very good

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks !

[@jomilez4731]

Thank you sir

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome !

[@aminiasisegai2841]

❤thank you i got it🙏

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@gudielgarcia6588]

Justo lo que andaba buscando

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thanks for watching !

[@souadsalhi550]

Bravo!

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Thank you !

[@gazliberation]

Works a treat!
Great video

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome, thanks for watching !