007DT

OK. I used my new brake spreader yesterday for the 1st time. Works perfect and only requires one hand! I paid $59 from Matco for it. This tool combined with the Track Junk tool makes changing the brakes on the GT3 as easy as my old 993.

cfjan

Dave,

From the pic at the Matco website, I don't see the tool having 2 paddles that stick into the caliper to push the piston back out.. or am I missing something? (compare to the like of Giro tool, you see there's 2 flat pedals that sticks out quite a bit)

007DT

The silver piece pushed the inboard pad. The black piece pushed the outboard pad. post the link or PM me and I'll see if it is the same one. I bought it from one of the trucks that visits repair shops. I was at my shop when they pulled up and it was in there.

cfjan

Here's the pic of the Matco vs. Giro..

As you can see, the Giro has 2 flat paddles sticking out that you can stick into the caliper to push the pistons out.. but I don't quite see how the Matco one does it.. ?!

007DT

That is the tool.

Silver piece on left does inboard. Black piece does outboard. All done at the same time.

Works great, nice even pumping allows the caliper to smoothly open up. Also it never touches the caliper so you won't scuff the paint.

cfjan

Okay, thanks for the info.. I guess you don't need a lot of protrusion to reach the pistons...

IPguy

Dave, does the tool only touch the old pads before removal to retract the pistons?

007DT

Yes.. That is it. Using the old pads to retract the pistons all the way back, then release and pop in the new ones.

cfjan

Not sure why they don't extend the paddles so it can reach in... but as long as it works!!

007DT

I think it is a universal tool. It's not uncommon to use the pads to push back the caliper pistons. Bottom line is it works good.

And you still have a free hand.

mooty

i have both, they both work.
in fact, you dont need ANY TOOLS to change pads, you just need your fingers.
BUT, if you want to do it quick, like b/n appetizer and main course or b/n wiping your kids a** and putting diaper back on without your wife screaming at you. use the giro one. 5 seconds saved is 5 seconds gain. i used the matco once, and it sat there collecting dust. now dust so thick i can't find the tool anymore.

seriously, if you changed pads a lot, just get the giro or the similar but silver one and you will be happy. no need to ponder which is better.

mooty

dave, take out and throw that flat spring out as FAR AS YOU CAN.
it's uselss.
no cup cars run that.
if you want to be fast and save wt. that's the first thing to go.

mooty

ah.... it depends on which stop tech.
some stop tech calipers can only spit out pads from the front side (unlike the caliper on 996gt3, my M3 had stop tech and i hated how complicated it was to change pads i sold the car). if the pads is taken out from back side of caliper like 996gt3, than giro and eagle day will work. once you have that tool in your hand, you will understand. $$$ yes. but it makes life worth living.

mooty

i have that too
in fact that's the adaptation of the porsche factory tool that's $500-600, which i also have hahahaha. i am a sucker.

this works very well, but it's at least 5 seconds slower than giro or eagle day. you have to turn the thing about 10 rev or more.

with giro or eagle day, one motion, pads fall out. voila

cfjan

Mooty,

The spring is just there to keep the pads from vibrating and make noise, right? Because the pin is holding the pads in anyway..