Do rear calliper pistons have to be wound back in?

There seems to be little doubt that Golf IV pistons have to be rotated as they are pushed back in. – hence special piston wind back tool.

Once you get onto MK 5 Golf and MK 2 Octavia (A5 platform) some seem to think that winding back is still essential – others that pistons can be pushed back without rotating.

Reason I ask is currently looking at brakes on 08 model year Octavia 1.9 Tdi. I do not have a piston wind back tool (won’t be getting one at this time on a Sunday either). Pistons seem reluctant to retract but have not applied that much force yet.

So do I really need to rotate the pistons? Or is it safe to up the force.

Thanks

AFAIK yep, and you really need a caliper rewind tool as they're a right PITA using just circlip pliers or such like.

They need winding back in.

Yes, have to be wound.