1991 SHO Rear Disc Brake Piston Tool
- Thread starter shotaurus
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
The rear pistons do get screwed back in. Harbor Freight has a tool for this that works fine and does not cost much.
Mike
Mike
hawkeye18
Sorta cares
If you're in a pinch, get some vise-grips and very carefully (don't gouge the piston!) rotate it back in. It may not be "optimal", but it works, and everybody has vise-grips.
Also, loosen the bleeder screw on the caliper. This will make it much easier as your piston is now no longer pushing back against the entire brake system.
Also, loosen the bleeder screw on the caliper. This will make it much easier as your piston is now no longer pushing back against the entire brake system.
93rev2sev
SHO Member
Better yet, use a slipjoint pliers. Adjust them so that the tips of the pliers are the right distance apart to fit in the indentations in the piston. Then, just crank the pivot nut down to lock them in place. Now, you have a great tool for rotating the piston back into the bore, and you didn't have to goto to the store and spend a dime.
Phoenix
SHOHOLIC
To ease your way through , you can open the bleeder while turning , it removes alot of pressure on the piston.
jelloslug
Digital
Autozone has a loner disk brake kit that works great.
x2 on the Harbor Freight. It is by far the best tool, and only $30. Search on their site for p/n 40732-1VGA.
jelloslug
Digital
x2 on the Harbor Freight. It is by far the best tool, and only $30. Search on their site for p/n 40732-1VGA.
That's exactly the same thing Autozone has.
bump! thats the kit and it's a free rental
Racer X
SHO Pilot, Retired
Quoted for truth.
Storm-Chaser
New Member
There is also a rear caliper piston tool made by KD Tools - part number 3355
The piston tool is still available through O'Reilly Auto Parts for $15.99, as well as numerous sites online. The tool works quite well, and is used with a 3/8" drive and extension.
The piston tool is still available through O'Reilly Auto Parts for $15.99, as well as numerous sites online. The tool works quite well, and is used with a 3/8" drive and extension.
Storm-Chaser
New Member
For anyone that doesn't have a Harbor Freight nearby (Store Locator hotlink) and is interested in one of the brake caliper kits shown below . . . .
I'm going to Harbor Freight today - I can pick one up and ship it to you for ~$32 (~$20 for the kit, plus tax and shipping).
I'm going to Harbor Freight today - I can pick one up and ship it to you for ~$32 (~$20 for the kit, plus tax and shipping).
x2 on the Harbor Freight. It is by far the best tool, and only $30. Search on their site for p/n 40732-1VGA.
SASHO91
Zoom Zoom
I normally just use a C-clamp with the little cube tool along with a 1" wrench....works great. Just give the cube a turn with the 1" wrench (which fits perfectly BTW) after you apply pressure to the cube with the c-clamp, and repeat until the piston is fully compressed. 
I like this method better than the other way,but that's me.
I like this method better than the other way,but that's me.Storm-Chaser
New Member
I think you're going to find that most disagree about how easy the "cube" is to use.
No C-clamp is required when using the KD Tools, Harbor Freight, or Rotunda kits. Additionally, using a C-Clamp has the potential to damage the caliper piston.
No C-clamp is required when using the KD Tools, Harbor Freight, or Rotunda kits. Additionally, using a C-Clamp has the potential to damage the caliper piston.
SASHO91
Zoom Zoom
I've used the above mentioned tools as well, and I prefer the "cube" method. Granted they are alittle faster...
I don't see how the c-clamp could cause any damage... or rather anymore than the other tools? The c-clamp doesn't come in contact with the piston, just the "cube". It's basically the same setup as the above tools and utilizes the same method.
All i'm getting at is the cube does work, and works very well when you don't use it as your'e supposed to.
I don't see how the c-clamp could cause any damage... or rather anymore than the other tools? The c-clamp doesn't come in contact with the piston, just the "cube". It's basically the same setup as the above tools and utilizes the same method.
All i'm getting at is the cube does work, and works very well when you don't use it as your'e supposed to.
Mr Anonymous
Tire Wall
FWIW, unless you have a regular need for the caliper tool kit, it's probably more cost-effective to avail yourself of the free loan-a-tool program at AutoZone. Also, the last time I used an AutoZone kit, the deposit was only $15 and you had the option of not returning it and just buying it for that $15 which is a very cheap way to own a kit if you really want one. I'm not sure if that price is still current, but it's worth checking out.
Also, using a c-clamp and any kind of pliers or wrench to turn the rear pistons back in has resulted in the sale of numerous rear calipers. It's too easy to damage the piston sides or the mechanisms in the calipers this way, or even just tear the boots. Mind you, I've used that method myself a number of times without damaging anything, but for someone working on brakes for the first time or just not very frequently, having the right tool for the right job can make it a much faster, smoother experience.
Also, using a c-clamp and any kind of pliers or wrench to turn the rear pistons back in has resulted in the sale of numerous rear calipers. It's too easy to damage the piston sides or the mechanisms in the calipers this way, or even just tear the boots. Mind you, I've used that method myself a number of times without damaging anything, but for someone working on brakes for the first time or just not very frequently, having the right tool for the right job can make it a much faster, smoother experience.
Similar threads
