doing front brakes - tools needed

[Wallythacker]

I guess my main concern is the size the clamp to compress the piston back. I have a 3.5" clamp and my other clamps are somewhere in my garage.

[7milesout]

I use any size C-clamp that will fit. And I place the old pad back in there in any way it will fit to touch the pistons. Then I turn the C-clamp down. Might be a good idea to pop the top off the brake reservoir too. But keep an eye on the level. Don't want to spill over in case it's been refilled when the brakes were worn down.

[Fummins]

You can just use your hands. Just go slow, it'll push in easy enough. Or....Before you remove the caliper, stick a flat screwdriver into the slot of the caliper, into the rotor and pry the caliper over(outboard) that'll get the piston moving in atleast a bit, might be able to reposition and get it pushed in all the way.
Or...A pair of channel locks works pretty good. That's what I normally use.
Or leave the outboard pad attatched to the caliper, stuff a piece of wood or whatever else will take up the gap and pry the piston in, this way probably won't work like it does in imagination land though.
Otherwise, to get the caliper off it's a couple 14mm/9/16 bolts, the bracket(you don't need to remove it) is a couple 17mm iirc. Bfh to remove rotor or find a couple 12mm(iirc) headed bolts to thread into the rotor to press it off.

[Wallythacker]

You can just use your hands. Just go slow, it'll push in easy enough. Or....Before you remove the caliper, stick a flat screwdriver into the slot of the caliper, into the rotor and pry the caliper over(outboard) that'll get the piston moving in atleast a bit, might be able to reposition and get it pushed in all the way.
Or...A pair of channel locks works pretty good. That's what I normally use.
Or leave the outboard pad attatched to the caliper, stuff a piece of wood or whatever else will take up the gap and pry the piston in, this way probably won't work like it does in imagination land though.
Otherwise, to get the caliper off it's a couple 14mm/9/16 bolts, the bracket(you don't need to remove it) is a couple 17mm iirc. Bfh to remove rotor or find a couple 12mm(iirc) headed bolts to thread into the rotor to press it off.

Thank you sir. It appears manageable, I've done the brakes on Caravans of all vintages, front and rear, disc/drum, disc/disc, bike brakes of all makes , the rears are work but oh well.

And funny enough, my choice BFH is at the front door. Like a dog waiting to be let out. 10b. of cast steel and fiberglas!

[Top_Fuel]

I keep one of these in my brake toolbox. It works well (as long as your piston isn't seized in the caliper) and it's under $10.



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Funny that Fummins mentioned using your bare hands. I think that's what I ended up doing last time on my Mirage.

[Fummins]

I keep one of these in my brake toolbox. It works well (as long as your piston isn't seized in the caliper) and it's under $10.



Video


Funny that Fummins mentioned using your bare hands. I think that's what I ended up doing last time on my Mirage.

I do that when I'm too lazy to walk across the shop or just want to feel like the hulk.

I forgot about that tool. I have one of those too, but my go-to is usually just a medium sized pair of channel locks.
I've had the top caliper bolt/pin strip out a time or two when using an impact on the bolt. So I just left it and removed the lower bolt more carefully. There's enough room to tilt and remove the caliper with the upper bolt in place.

[bunio14]

I am cheaper than that - I drive Mirage! When I have nothing around, hammer wooden handle works just fine!
As long as you are careful with the piston's dust cap/seal you can you whatever you like.

[Wallythacker]

I'm loving all the different hints!

I'll be hooking up my trailer to fetch a radio antenna tower in Guelph. I am going to make sure I have a white license and single left side red light.

[Fummins]

Just attach wheels to the tower and tow it with a rope.

[Eggman]

I'll be hooking up my trailer to fetch a radio antenna tower in Guelph. I am going to make sure I have a white license and single left side red light.

And we expect to see pictures of this tower mounted on your Mirage.