What does the tool look like please?

I went into Halfords to buy one and they had 3 different ones, but none said 'Skoda' on. I asked an assistant and was told not to worry and just use a hammer to get caliper apart, not very helpful.

So, which tool would I need, a picture would be brilliant so I can print it off and take it in and get the correct one for myself.

Thankyou.

Should look a bit like this one Richard. The business end's about 35 mm diameter with two lugs on it.

The question has to be Skodas have "special" calipers that require a different technique to the "normal" one?

For "normal" calipers, the pistons just push into the calipers - if hand force isn't sufficient (it was on my Suzuki Bandit) I used a "speed cramp" - i.e. one of those modern G clamp type of cramps:

This worked fine on my Land Rover Freelander, but the MX-5's piston is retracted using an Allen Key.

Even if "normal" I still wouldn't use a "hammer" though

Addendum - please note my response was being composed prior to the response above appearing - I can't see how that actually works so can't tell if my response is still relevant or not...

As I understand it, the pistons run in some sort of thread in the caliper so have to be rotated as they are wound back in.

Excellent, I do remember one like that in Halfords, thanks Nick.

AFAIK VW ones have to be wound back in whilst using the tool to push the piston in.

Also make sure you give the carriers a damn good clean and get a pad set with new shims in if you can. The rear pads quite often stick ing the carriers and either bind on or done work.

Will do Lummox

some say you need the "audi" adapter, to got on the end of the wind back tool posted above.its not true,wound mine back without it,even though i'd bloody bought one and found it didn't fit

Did next door neighbours Passat with long nose pliers - used the ends to wedge against the raised edges and twist them in. In hindsight, get the proper tool!!!

Stating the obvious I'm sure, but you only need the piston wind back tool for the rear disc brakes. The front pistons can be pushed back using a small G cramp.

I bought a Sykes-Pickavent tool from a local motor factor. The part number is 036100 and the adapter you need for the Fabia is 03610600 Adapter No 2, 30mm.

As other people have said, get the right tool. It will still work out a lot cheaper than letting your dealer do it!

and remember to take the res lid off

and remember to take the res lid off

I did my front pads on my Clio, took lid off ok, but forgot to put it back on. I think I was the only one who found it mildly amusing driving down the road with no footbrake

Years ago I watched a friend fit new pads to his Renault 16TS. After fitting them he started the engine and drove his car into the garage - and straight into the back wall. He had forgotten to pump the brake pedal afterwards so had no brakes when he first applied them. :(

It's something everyone only ever does once.

are you changing the rear pads to stop that terrible squealing? Tom

No, I'm changing the pads so my car can be parked on a hill again.

It's something everyone only ever does once.

that and leaving a spanner on the side of the bonnet,then dropping it

that and leaving a spanner on the side of the bonnet,then dropping it

Along with leaving a spanner under the bonnet and hearing an almighty clang when you move off as said spanner falls on the floor.

FWIW, Haynes suggest winding the rear brake piston back into the caliper using a pair of circlip pliers in the absence of a special winding tool.

I'll get the proper tool and do one side with pliers and one with the tool and I'll time each one.

:eek: To put it more strongly - don't even think about doing them without the proper tool!

FWIW, Haynes suggest winding the rear brake piston back into the caliper using a pair of circlip pliers in the absence of a special winding tool.

Almost as cowboy-ish as me :P

you'd need an extra pair of hands though,or take the caliper off and hold it somewhere secure

Years ago I watched a friend fit new pads to his Renault 16TS. After fitting them he started the engine and drove his car into the garage - and straight into the back wall. He had forgotten to pump the brake pedal afterwards so had no brakes when he first applied them. :(

My best story like that involved fitting new pads to my Nova SR, going for a spirited drive straight away and melting them, shortly before navigating a roundabout at speed whilst yanking the handbrake very hard and no doubt looking very scared to any other drivers I cut up in the process. God only knows how I didn't crash but after spinning 90 degrees in one direction then 270 in the other I came to rest with black smoke pouring off the front brakes. Whoops