Changing Brake Pads

MUDRAT · Post by **MUDRAT** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:05 pm

I hate this job.

Is there a tool I can buy to wind the slave cylinder in? I don't care how much it costs, it's gotta be better than multi-grips.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:10 pm

I have to do my liberty next week - hope they dont have the same issues as the L brakes. Guess i will find out

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:23 pm

make one

i had a munted 18mm socket that i got to with the grinder

just grind it down till you got 2 tabs sticking out at opposite sides

works a treat

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 5:26 pm

Yeah, the socket winder rocks!

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 5:31 pm

Yeah the modified socket is generally the tool used but I believe you can buy a socket specifically for the job.

You could always just pay someone to do it....nah, thats not the AUSubaru way now is it

Jordan.

twc · Post by **twc** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:45 pm

I was under the impression that a good pair of circlip and/or bent nose pliers would also do ther job??????

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:58 pm

You can buy a cube that has 3/8 drive holes on each face as well as different lugs for different calipers. I have one that I use primarily on the Subes, but have used it on the rear of Commodores and the like.

Circlip pliers do work better than multigrips! Nothing beats being able to do it with the ratchet / air ratchet though!

Post by **yarney** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:14 pm

I did mine on thursday i used lge pointy nose pliers it worked well.

Jan

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:54 am

Subaman has one of the cube type "sockets" and it works well. I also go for the modded socket.

MUDRAT · Post by **MUDRAT** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:19 am

What's this "cube type" socket you speak of Brett?

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:02 pm

Same as what I was talking about.

Kinda looks like this:

wagonist · Post by **wagonist** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:01 pm

I have generally just used an F or G clamp in the past.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:05 am

wagonist wrote:I have generally just used an F or G clamp in the past.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DO THIS - YOU WILL WRECK YOUR CALIPERS

Nathan, I also have one of the cube things, about $10 for an ABW one I think, works a treat.

As for the F clamp, that only works on non wind back pistons such as those usually found on the rear or on the front of older cars. Whenever there is provision for a pinned tool to sit on a piston you need to make sure it is a wind in type.[/b]

wagonist · Post by **wagonist** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:25 am

Oh well, I've been doing it for 15 years now on numerous cars (including my current 4 piston front calipers) & I've never wrecked a caliper.
You do have to be careful & make sure the clamp is square.
I also use a piece of timber between the clamp & the piston to spread the load.

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:20 am

I hate doing front brakes, but did them once ages ago....didn't know about the winding in thing...and yeah tried with G clamps, it still didn't go enough, lucky I didn't wreck them.
In exasperation, I called in the cannon mobil mech, he showed/used that cube thing, easy as

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:27 pm

I've always used an G Clamp and a block of wood on the pistion to retract the psition, never had problems on a few cars (XT130 Corona, numberous of Camiras, Toyota Camry, EA82 L series, 95 Liberty) haven't had a problem, just be careful what you do.

I find this brake pad change job very easy, just right tools and G clamp, no worries.

People have different ways of doing mechanical things...

Maybe its time for me to buy proper brake tools?
Cheers
AP

MUDRAT · Post by **MUDRAT** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:41 pm

I reckon I'm going to machine up a tool to do the job (or get someone at work to make it for me!) cos I've gotta do the pads on the coupe soon too.