Luis de Prat

When I replaced front and rear pads on the S2 I used large channel lock pliers with the jaws wrapped in many layers of duct tape.

This worked pretty well, but I still nicked the calipers in a few places. They're just the ordinarly stock black anodized calipers, nothing fancy like big reds, but I would like to prevent this when it comes time to do the pads on the big S4 calipers my 951 came with.

What's the best tool for this? Suggestions?

TIA

Sam Lin

Disc Brake Pad Spreader, under $10 at Pep Boys, grind the spreader pads to fit.

Sam

Luis de Prat

You wouldn't have a brand or product number / way to identify it by any chance? Google image search produced many versions. Which is the best for our Brembos? Thanks!

Peckster

I put the pads in place, then put a wide flat bar in between them, and twist it.

Luis de Prat

Peckster, can you elaborate? When I did the pads, they were worn to the indicator limit and the calipers were too close together for the fat new pads to fit in between them. Thanks.

Peckster

Put the old pads back in, insert bar or large screwdriver between them and twist. The rotating blade will force both calipers in at the same time. When they are a long way in, replace with the new pads and repeat. It goes slowly, but it goes.

Check your reservoir to see if the fluid is overflowing.

Luis de Prat

Do you mean insert the old pads half way in and prying them apart that way? Otherwise, I would be afraid of scratching the rotor with the bar/screwdriver.

ninefiveone

I find channel locks work great with a piece of plastic I cut out of a quart of oil protecting the caliper exterior and the old pad to protect the pistons.

Shutemup

I just use one of the quick grip type bar clamps, and spread them back open before taking the old pads off.

Cass944

i used my hands.... but for one of them i did end up using a pair of big matco plyers. i just put them in there then slowly opened them. make sure you have the old pads still in there so you dont need to open them so far.

Yabo

what i do, is grab the edge of the old brake pad with vice grips, and use the leverage to push the pistons out

Peckster

Oh yeah, the caliper has to be off the rotor, but you could leave it in place and protect the rotor with something.

Legoland951

Man, I couldn't be the only person to be able to push the piston back in the caliper with my fingers. Sometimes, I had to resort to the C Clamp method.

jason952

use very big channel locks and rags on the caliper. or use a pry bar btwn the pad and rotor, levering against the rotor, ie, pushing the pry bar toward the caliper, that would not likely scratch anything.
j

inactiveuser92616

your not the only one. Replacing pads was the first thing I ever did on the 944, and was shocked at how easy and intuitive it was to replace them. Just rap your hand around the caliper and squeeze your fingers down on the piston. Helps to have the brake reservoir cap taken off at the time.