Rear Brake Caliper Tool?

[ntmatter]

I'm going to be swapping out my rear brake pads tonight in preparation for Viper Days, and I don't have Dodge's special brake caliper tool. Instead, I was advised to just use a C-clamp, which has the twin advantages of being available and cheap. Does anyone have any experience with using this over the official tool to screw in the rear pistons before changing the pads?

Thanks,

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[Matt M PA]

Your rear brake caliper pistons must be rotated in...not just pressed. I carefully used the points of a pair of needle nose pliers. I point in each depression.

 

[Janni]

Ah the Dodge special tool - we actally have one - it's $12 through Dodge parts - my parents bought it for Henry for his birthday (took 3 months to come in...)

I think we still use the needle node pliers to turn and re-seat the rear piston. Be careful, the indents are pretty shallow, but it'll work just fine...

When you put the new pads on and positioned correctly, crank up on the emergency brake to hold them in place against the rotor for you while you position the clip spring and tap in the pin - its just one less thing to have to worry about.

 

[ntmatter]

Good idea on the e-brake. Someone showed me the trick of using baling wire to hold the pads in place, but I'll give the e-brake a shot instead.

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[kARLUG]

I HAD THE SAME CONCERN ABOUT USING THE DODGE TOOL THAT I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO. LIKE EVERYONE SAYS THE NEEDLE NOSED PLIERS WORKED
GOOD. "PIECE OF CAKE".

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Actually, I found that I could not twist in the piston no matter how much I leaned on the pliers as I was turning them. Then, I realized that I was essentially trying to push all of that brake fluid back up to the top of the reservoir. However, I had just last week installed Speed Bleeders, which allow me to open the bleeder bolts without worrying about air escaping in. So, I opened the speed bleeder, turned the piston in with about 3 easy cranks, then closed the speed bleeder back up. As a bonus, turning in the piston pushed out some of the dirtiest brake fluid inside the caliper. With this trick I saved a bunch of time off of the sweatiest and nastiest part of changing my rear brake pads. The C-clamp, which I had already bought, served very well in holding the pads in place while I installed the anti-rattle spring.

At $7 each (need 6 for all 4 calipers) the speed bleeders have saved me a ton of time and made changing fluids and now pads much easier. I highly recommend them to anyone who will be doing a few track days and wants to stay on top of their brakes.

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