Been reading about some special tool I need to wind the pistons back in the calliper on the rear brakes. Is there some other way to push them back without buying a special tool?

 

On old cars Ive owned I always left a pad in and gently prised between the pad and disc to ease it back.

No, they need to be wound in as they double up as the handbrake. If you need to do the discs as well then the carrier will likely need to come off, which is a pain to remove due limited access.

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Yep, the tool is essential. It's about tenner but I'm sure someone near you could lend it to you. If you are near me (Manchester/Salford) you can have mine for few weekends.

They won't push back in, they need to be screwed back on a central threaded pin, essentially a coarse threaded bolt.

If you don't have the tool you can make do with large pipe grips.

With the caliper off temporarily mount it back on the carrier but manoeuvre it such that it is sitting up for easy access and attach one bolt, I can't remember how exactly but you'll see when you get it right. This just makes things easier than holding the caliper by hand.

Remember Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty.

Grip the exposed edge of the piston with the grips being careful not to nip the rubber dust seal and bit by bit you'll wind the piston back in no time due to the coarse thread.

Thanks for the advice guys and the kind offer to let me borrow one. Bit to far away unfortunately.

 

If they only cost about £10 I may as well buy one if someone could be kind enough to point me in the right direction as I haven't got a clue what the tool looks like.

 

The discs look ok so I wont be changing those this time.

Thanks

Edited 21 March, 201511 yr by maverick54

Here...

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/040817916

 

And there's a "How To" here I did some years ago which may help...

 

http://uk-mkivs.net/topic/18588-rear-brake-pads-discs-vw-golf-jetta-mk5-seat-leon-mk2-altea-etc-pic-heavy/

Here...

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/040817916

 

And there's a "How To here I did some years ago which may help...

 

http://uk-mkivs.net/topic/18588-rear-brake-pads-discs-vw-golf-jetta-mk5-seat-leon-mk2-altea-etc-pic-heavy/

 

 

Thanks very much for that. Great guide by the way. Is it just the one tool I need and will that have the correct size disc to fit my calliper? Also what's this left and right business about? Do the pistons on each side screw different ways to retract them and does the one tool do both sides?

 

Edited 21 March, 201511 yr by maverick54

The pistons on a particular car will turn a certain way. On yours, both pistons turn the same way so only the one tool is needed. Other cars may turn the opposite way.

 

The disc on the tool is reversible and has different pins on either side.

 

 

 

 

 

Great thanks. Got my head round what I'm doing now

Here is even cheaper:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=281061739778&alt=web

It is possible to screw them back in using a g-clamp & some bent -end circlip pliers but for the amount of extra time,  frustration, swearing & barked knuckles it causes you'll be happy you bought the tool.  You can always do your brakes then on-sell on the forum.

I use a kit similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-22pc-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Piston-Rewind-Tool-Kit-Set-Auto-Wind-Back-Car-/391005832252

There are lots on ebay for around £15 including delivery, and for that price you can't really go wrong. The kits contain both left and right hand threaded wind back tools and adapters for most car makes.