Question about DIY for Front/Rear Rotors and Brakes

cas2themoe · 11-09-2010, 04:46 AM

Is there any special tool(s) we need while doing this job? I was looking at the service manual and they were talking about a "SST" tool to push the rear piston back in. Does anyone know for sure?

I am replacing everything this weekend, and this is my first time doing it on this car. Just want to make sure I dont need anything special before I start taking everything apart.

Thanks for the help!

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Kane · 11-09-2010, 04:48 AM

It is an e-brake caliper tool, that goes on like a 1/2" ratchet if memory serves.... you can get the at AutoZone for like 5 bucks.

cas2themoe · 11-09-2010, 07:15 AM

Any way you can point me to it on their site?

Is this tool used for the ebrake or to push the piston back in?

Also, is there anything else I would need that's out of the ordinary?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

It is an e-brake caliper tool, that goes on like a 1/2" ratchet if memory serves.... you can get the at AutoZone for like 5 bucks.

04Green · 11-09-2010, 07:21 AM

The only non-standard part of the job is pushing the rear piston back in while turning it. Some have not had a problem, it was a royal pain on mine. You can use a big C clamp on the fronts before you take them off. The back has to be turned before they go in.

I borrowed one from autozone half way through (they have tools you can buy, then return). I then bought basically the same set from harbour freight http://www.harborfreight.com/caliper...kes-40732.html . Getting pressure on the piston, and turning, is the really hard part.

That was the only hard part.

Good luck

Kane · 11-09-2010, 07:35 AM

Yeah it is basically a glorified socket, with the "fingers" to fit the caliper piston, which rotates as you pull up on the e-brake.

That harbour freight one looks nice.

wankelbolt · 11-09-2010, 10:50 AM

$10 to $15 depending on where you get it.

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/products/?product=147&division=1&category=1

NgoRX8 · 11-09-2010, 11:06 AM

just get the tool from autozone. it's very easy to use. its braced against the inside of the front part of the caliper which allows you to turn the handle and compress the piston. just turn slowly as to not tear the piston boot.

Z0oMzo0m · 11-09-2010, 12:35 PM

and you will need a, cant think of the name of tool.. but its like a screw driver that you hammer on the back side to remove the bolts out of rotors on the front.

hammer punch?? Sears has them for like 15.00 bucks

ken-x8 · 11-09-2010, 02:03 PM

That would be an impact screwdriver, in case the screws holding the rotor to the hub are stuck.

I have not yet done brakes on my 8, but I've encountered stuck screws on other cars. I just drilled the heads off, then picked up a sack of replacements at the hardware store. You don't really need those screws. They just hold the rotors in place til you get the wheel back on. Some replacement rotors don't even have holes for them. So no need to panic if they get munged.

On better quality rotors, there are usually four holes. Two plain and countersunk for those screws. Two threaded. The idea is that if the rotor is frozen to the hub you screw the screws into the threaded holes to pop the rotor off.

Ken

cas2themoe · 11-09-2010, 04:15 PM

Yeah I have the impact screwdriver set.... just glad I asked because I dont have the "Disc Brake Piston Tool". I'll be sure to get that from autozone or advance auto parts, no need for the whole kit.

cas2themoe · 11-10-2010, 03:14 AM

One more question I was thinking about..... are most of the Brake Piston Tools universal?

04Green · 11-10-2010, 05:29 AM

Mostly, yes. The cube has 6 different sides, the sets usually have a few more options. The bigger the set, the more options. I used the HF one.