How to Push Back Brake Piston Without Tool – 4 Easy Methods

How to push back brake piston without tool is an essential skill that car owners should have because not everyone has access to specialized tools. However, there are four different ways to push the brake piston back without using any additional tools.

These techniques involve the use of a standard screwdriver, old channel locks, a C-clamp, and a caulking gun with a smooth rod. We’ll outline each approach in detail in this article so you can decide which one will safely push back your brake piston for you.

How to Push Back Brake Piston Without Tool

To push back the brake piston without a tool, you can use either one of four methods that include using a regular screwdriver, old channel lock, c-clamp, or smooth rod caulk gun. These procedures can be easily followed, unlike the special tool that is needed to push back the piston.

1. Regular Screwdriver Method

Pushing back a brake piston with a regular screwdriver is an effective way of replacing brake pads on your vehicle. There are some steps that you need to follow for this method. Begin by locating the brake caliper. It’s usually located behind the brake rotor and resembles a clamp. Then use a regular screwdriver to remove the caliper bolts that hold the caliper in place. Be sure to keep the bolts in a safe place where they won’t get lost.

With the caliper removed, you should see the brake piston. Inspect it to see if it’s dirty or has any rust buildup. Next, take the regular screwdriver and position the tip between the brake rotor’s edge and the outer brake pad. Gently push back the brake piston by positioning the screwdriver’s handle against the caliper and turning it clockwise. Continue rotating the screwdriver until the piston is completely compressed.

After that, take your time to avoid pushing it too quickly, as this may damage the parking brake calipers or bleed brakes. Then, if you encounter resistance, try adjusting the position of the screwdriver. It’s also a good idea to apply some lubricant to the screwdriver to prevent it from getting stuck. Once the piston is compressed, carefully remove the old brake pads, noting their position for ease in reinstallation.

Next, insert the new brake pads, making sure the clips are in place. After that, reinstall the brake caliper, tightening the bolts to the manufacturer’s recommended torque settings. Make sure you have the right tools, including a flathead screwdriver, before attempting the task. Be careful not to compress the brake piston too quickly or forcefully, as this may damage the caliper or brakes.

Inspect the brake pads for wear and replace them if necessary. Apply a small amount of lubricant to the screwdriver to make the process easier. If you’re having trouble pushing back the brake piston, consider seeking advice or expert help.

2. Old Channel Lock Method

You can push back the brake piston effectively using an old channel lock, which is a trick many DIY enthusiasts have been using for years. Here are a few steps that you need to follow on how to push back the brake caliper piston using an old channel lock.

First, you need to ensure that you have all the necessary equipment for the job. Apart from the old channel lock, you will also need brake pad grease and a lug wrench. Before you start pushing back the brake piston, ensure that you have the brake pads and caliper removed. Clean the brake pad’s contact points using brake cleaner and apply brake pad grease evenly on the surface. This will ensure that the brake pads slide in and out easily.

After that, using the channel lock, grip the caliper piston at the back and turn it clockwise. Ensure that you have a firm grip on the caliper piston, as it is tightly fitted in the caliper bore. Applying too much force or turning the piston counterclockwise may damage the caliper’s inner workings. Once you have your grip on the caliper piston, apply pressure using the channel lock’s leverage to push the piston back into the caliper.

You should hear a popping sound as the piston moves back into the caliper. Keep turning the piston clockwise until it is flush with the inside of the caliper. After pushing the brake piston back using the old channel lock, you can replace the brake pads and reinstall the caliper. Ensure that the brake pads are installed correctly and that the caliper is securely installed.

Pushing back the brake piston using an old channel lock is a cost-effective and straightforward technique that you can use to replace your brake pads. However, it is essential to take safety precautions when working on your vehicle’s brake system using this method. Ensure that your car is safely jack stands and that you wear the appropriate safety gear, such as hand gloves and safety glasses.

3. C-Clamp Method

One of the essential skills that you should learn is how to push back the brake piston using a C-clamp. The first step for this method is to acquire the necessary materials. You will need a C-clamp, a pair of pliers, a flathead screwdriver, and a new set of brake pads. For safety purposes, ensure that the vehicle is parked on a flat surface.

Also, make sure that the emergency brake is engaged. Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts, but do not remove them yet. Next, locate the brake caliper. The caliper surrounds the brake rotor, and it has one or two pistons that push the brake pads against the rotor. Use the flathead screwdriver to loosen the small bolt at the top of the caliper.

Then, use the pliers to remove the retaining clip that holds the brake pads in place. Make sure to note the position of the clip, as it needs to go back in the same way. Now, remove the brake pads from the caliper using the pliers. Inspect them for wear and damage. If they are worn down, cracked, or corroded, replace them with new ones.

Before installing the new pads, use the C-clamp to push the brake piston back into the caliper. Align the C-clamp so that the stationary end is behind the caliper and the screw is pressing against the brake pad. Slowly turn the screw on the C-clamp clockwise until the brake piston is fully compressed into the caliper.

You can check the position of the piston by looking through the caliper opening. Once the piston is fully compressed, remove the C-clamp and fit the new brake pads into the caliper. Make sure that the pads are sitting snugly and that the retaining clip is back in place. Finally, tighten the bolt at the top of the caliper and replace the lug nuts.

Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specifications. Test the drum brakes by pumping the brake pedal a few times before driving the vehicle. So, you can see that following this method yourself can save you time and money compared to taking your vehicle to a mechanic.

4. Smooth Rod Caulk Gun Method

The conventional method of pushing back the rear brake piston involves the use of a C-clamp or brake piston tool. However, modern car models have brake pistons that can be pushed back with a rod caulking gun, which we have discussed below.

Before getting into the details on how to use a rod caulking gun to push brake pistons, it is vital to understand that safety measures should be taken before working on any part of the brake system. Ensure you have the correct tools, use safety goggles and gloves, and disconnect the battery before commencing.

The first step is to remove the brake caliper of your vehicle carefully. The brake caliper holds the brake pads, and it is held together to the rotor by mounting bolts. Once you remove the caliper, set it aside in a secure area. The next step is to remove the old brake pads, but before you do that, have a good look around.

Check if the boots are in good condition and if the caliper piston appears to be in perfect condition or not. If you notice any problems, fix them first before moving on to press the piston. Now that you have removed the brake pads insert your new brake pads. This is where the rod caulking gun comes into play.

First, you need to choose the appropriate adapter that matches the diameter of your brake piston. Secondly, thread the end of the caulking gun onto the adapter using the adapter screw. Ensure it’s intact and the gun sits correctly on the adapter. Then, take locking pliers to compress the piston.

You should be able to compress the caliper piston by tightening it with the adapter already in place. You may continue tightening until the caliper piston is fully compressed. This should provide enough space to fit the new brake pads. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the car, and once you have compressed all the pistons, you can reassemble the brake caliper.

Pushing back brake pistons using a rod caulking gun can be an easy process when you have got the steps and the necessary tools at your fingertips as you have seen already. By following the individual steps outlined here, one can replace their brake piston easily and safely, ensuring their car’s smooth running for miles to come.

FAQs

– What Should Be Done in Case the Caliper Piston Is Not Moving?

In case the caliper piston is not moving, you should fix the problem as quickly as you can. Ignoring a stuck caliper can result in uneven braking, early wear of the brakes, and occasionally even total brake failure, which can be fatal.

– What Could Be the Reason for the Brake Piston Not Compressing?

The reason for the brake piston not compressing could be because of air in the brake lines. The piston can also become stuck if the rear brake caliper is rusted or broken. To conclude the exact reason, you will have to perform a physical examination on it.

Conclusion

Knowing how to push back brake piston without tools can help you save time and money while still performing safe and effective braking system maintenance on your car.

To summarize the highlighted points of this article:

• While changing brake pads or other brake parts, it’s crucial to push the brake piston back.
• There are specialized rewind tools available for this work, but there are also four non-special toolless ways to push back the brake piston.
• Rushing or employing inappropriate procedures may cause harm to the system or even traffic accidents.
• Understanding how to safely and effectively push back a brake piston without the use of any equipment may ensure that the braking system of a car is maintained in a safe and effective manner.

All in all, you can safely and successfully push back the brake piston without the use of special equipment by following the step-by-step instructions for any of the four techniques described in this article.