Hi, been looking through the workshop manual for Octavia, intending to replace the rear discs and pads. According to the manual I need a special tool to rewind/push back the pistons. Can it be done without this tool, I looked up the part number given in the manual and it's nearly £350. A bit steep for occasional use. Any advice, as I've not worked on calipers that have the handbrake in the caliper before.

Caliper rewind tools are available from Halfords but I would try also Machine Mart, Amazon/ eBay etc.

I bought one of these from Halfords for my Fabia and it did the job.

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/automotive-tools/laser-brake-caliper-rewind-tool-694661.html

Screwfix even cheaper
https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-brake-caliper-rewind-tool/4119r

Edited 26 October, 202526 Oct by Lee01

Ah ok so you do need one.

This looks like it will do everything. £8.99. May need it for daughters car as well (Toyota)

eBay UK

23Piece UNIVERSAL HEAVY DUTY BRAKE CALIPER PISTON REWIND...

This tool kit allows you to rewind the pistons in brake calipers by hand without damaging the gaskets in the pistons. Save money on garage fees and safely rewind your brake pistons using this kit!...

That's what I used on my old 2008 Skoda, my 1990 Audi 09 and 2000 BMW 740 Sport. Excellent piece of kit.

Just beware of the excess brake fluid possibly overflowing from the reservoir when you use it.

2 hours ago, normanb said:

Any advice, as I've not worked on calipers that have the handbrake in the caliper before.

Be careful, if the dust cover has stuck to the piston then there's a chance you'll rip it when you start to wind in the piston. Use a small electrical screwdriver to prise the dust cover out from the groove in the piston and then move it(the screwdriver) around the circumference of the piston to ensure it's free, be careful doing this.

Squirting a bit of lube into the piston groove wouldn't do it any harm.

That £8.99 ebay kit should do the job.

16 minutes ago, SwallownAmazon said:

my 1990 Audi 09

Audi 90 I assume.....great cars !!

1 hour ago, normanb said:

Ah ok so you do need one.

This looks like it will do everything. £8.99. May need it for daughters car as well (Toyota)

eBay UK

23Piece UNIVERSAL HEAVY DUTY BRAKE CALIPER PISTON REWIND...

This tool kit allows you to rewind the pistons in brake calipers by hand without damaging the gaskets in the pistons. Save money on garage fees and safely rewind your brake pistons using this kit!...

That cheap crap will break as soon as you look at it and it's way more than you need. Just get the Laser tools one from Halfords.
Buy cheap, buy twice.

5 minutes ago, JohnMack said:

Audi 90 I assume.....great cars !!

Yes, Tornado red (fading to pink in places!) B3 2.3 litre 20v. My company car back in the day and I bought it for the memsahib when it was written down to zero in the books. 180,000 miles and still on the original clutch and exhaust..... Took it to Spain on a tour 3 years ago - never missed a beat.

6 minutes ago, Lee01 said:

That cheap crap will break as soon as you look at it and it's way more than you need.

Not if you use it properly........ It has lots of different fittings because there are lots of different calipers.

I have the exact same kit listed, I think I paid €50 for it from an online motor factor, used it a few times had no issues with I, if I remember rightly the one for the MK3 is somewhere in the middle

I bought a similar kit from eBay and it worked a treat.

Rather than pushing fluid back into the master cylinder, I prefer to crack open the bleed nipple as I’m winding the piston back.

5 hours ago, SwallownAmazon said:

Not if you use it properly........ It has lots of different fittings because there are lots of different calipers.

The OP only has one maybe two cars for which the rewind tools I posted will do so unless he's thinking of setting up his own driveway garage then it's unnecessary overkill.

12 hours ago, SwallownAmazon said:

Yes, Tornado red (fading to pink in places!) B3 2.3 litre 20v. My company car back in the day and I bought it for the memsahib when it was written down to zero in the books. 180,000 miles and still on the original clutch and exhaust..... Took it to Spain on a tour 3 years ago - never missed a beat.

Ah yes, we met when you and your good lady were passing the Edinburgh area after a trip up north I think? ... it's Chris yes ??

I still have my 7A CQ Tornado Red.

John.

Hi John, Yes it's me - sent you a PM.

BW

Chris.

Does anyone know if these rewinds kits like the ebay one or the Halfords one will be OK on a 2020 vRS 245 estate?

Edited 18 February18 Feb by Perryqhill

They should be fine; although I would probably recommend the Draper Rewind tool - better quality: https://www.tooltime.co.uk/products/draper-brake-caliper-wind-back-tool-with-right-hand-thread-dr-74289

Thanks, that's ideal.