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I have found the world's greatest tool!!!!

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:44 pm
by Firestarter
Just been changing the brake discs on the car - having spend absolutely ages (2hrs+ :smt009) trying to do the first one, then trying to get the brake piston back in, I finally gave up and went to Halfords.

Bought a pistion ram, pushes the piston back in by driving a bolt against the piston head which is counteracted by the caliper itself. I spent about 30 minutes using all sorts of implements (ranging from hammer handles, to an 18" tommy bar, finishing with a 6' broom handle) before admitting defeat and going and buying the ram. Did the second disk in about 35 minutes :smt003 from taking the wheel off to putting the wheel back on.

Unfortunately :smt002 I was only doing this while the battery on the bike recharged, so the other two discs will have to wait until later in the week!

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:00 pm
by bigun
It definitely just pushed in didn't it and wasn't a screw in type piston was it? I only ask as I have a new vectra and went to do the same. Couldn't push it back so before I forced it I asked on the vectra forum and turns out they screw back. If i'd forced them back I'd have damaged the threads they screw in on. In the end, I got my m8 to do them at his garage.

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:45 pm
by BikerGran
I just use a G clamp.

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:24 pm
by Firestarter
Um, think you might be right Bigun, the piston was rotating when I tightened the piston ram, so odds are it was screwing in rather than just pushing in. :smt009

Where's the "I feel so stupid" smiley? Ahh yes, here it is :smt053

Still think the tool is great, mind :smt003 deffo wouldn't have done it without

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:35 pm
by Kwackerz
BikerGran wrote:I just use a G clamp.

Ive been crying with laughter for the last 2 minutes solid.

:smt044 :smt082 :smt082

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:12 pm
by BikerGran
oops I've just realised this thread was about car brakes - :smt053 again! Getting to be a habit!

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:28 pm
by Kwackerz
Dunno.. I wouldve used a G Clamp on a Car's caliper too Bobbi.. Just a bigger one..!

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:35 pm
by BikerGran
I haven't touched a car caliper since - oh, think it must have been the Datsun Cherry which was scrapped, oh about 22 years ago when the bottom dropped out of it!

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:10 am
by fastasfcuk
rear callipers wind back as you apply pressure to the piston, but you must wind the piston back to the pads or you wont have a hand brake.

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:22 pm
by Gio
fastasfcuk wrote:rear callipers wind back as you apply pressure to the piston, but you must wind the piston back to the pads or you wont have a hand brake.
Depends on the vehicle doesn't it :smt001

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:54 pm
by ligloo
I thought this thread was about Gio... :smt003

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:04 pm
by Firestarter
Ligs, if I found him in a shop, I would definitely leave him on the shelf! :smt002

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:25 pm
by Kwackerz
Oh I dunno.. he makes a wicked Ham Sarnie.. :smt002

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:54 pm
by paddyz1
BikerGran wrote:I haven't touched a car caliper since - oh, think it must have been the Datsun Cherry which was scrapped, oh about 22 years ago when the bottom dropped out of it!
That must have been the day it came out of the showroom :smt002

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:22 pm
by fastasfcuk
Gio wrote:
fastasfcuk wrote:rear callipers wind back as you apply pressure to the piston, but you must wind the piston back to the pads or you wont have a hand brake.
Depends on the vehicle doesn't it :smt001
if the hand brake is part of the caliper then no,but on some cars the hand brake as it's own shoes and is inside the disk, mostly on vauxhalls.