As others have said, I've watched numerous other YT videos on changing brakes, but never understood what they did to pry the brake pads apart with a pry bar or screwdriver. I always replace with new calipers, so I'm not worried about damaging what's coming out. This is an excellent, concise, and clearly narrated video. Thanks!
I’ve been trying to compress my brake piston for about two hours and I watched about 10 videos and I finally came to your video and it finally helped thank you you’re a lifesaver
@@BarboursAutoHelp im working on my rear brake pads on a 2003 ford focus and it won't budge, can't find any info anywhere else on how to do it and someone told me that I need to unbolt something to get it to go back in
Back in the 80's, I was taught to compress the pistons with a clamp or pliers without opening the bleeders, but it makes complete sense to open them, especially on cars with an HCU. It's crazy how many professional mechanics on you tube still dont open them, saying its not required. Thanks for the video!
I ended up putting my wheel back cuz nobody is talking about the valve and about how you should push your piston back , they just talk about "changing the pads" . Great work man , keep us informed ! I want to see how to change the dashboard , gearnut and steering wheel . Ty !
I know these methods will work because he's doing it outside, at night, with a trouble light...just like I work on my stuff. These are the video's YT are meant for. Good stuff!
Lost about an hour trying other methods from other videos. Saw method two from this video and I was done in 10 seconds. Thank you for this newfound knowledge.
Bro literally you showing me me where the fluid release was at the beginning of the video was literally all I needed I've been trying to change these brakes fo 3 f****** days thank you so much
tried the screwdriver method just to know if it would work in a pinch, and it did work. tho i wouldnt recommend it if you have another option as you can damage your rotor and brake pads. i used the channel lock pliers method and it worked like a charm. cleaned everything up and regreased the slide bolts and its working great! i have dual caliper pistons and i took them from being stuck to compressed and fully functional in about 10 mins no problem. great video and tips!
Bought a bronco 2 That had been sitting for 12 years! Rotors all rusted up calilpher piston fully out! Used the screwdriver pushing Inwards on the rotor enough to put the Screwdriver between the brake pad and the piston! Push the piston fully inwards, your method worked thanks a lot!
So glad someone on here did the versions correctly!! To many different ways and some will wreck brake hose or yourself. The screwdriver pry is my favorite to use
Same here. I'm changing mine for the first time and wanted to let you know this was the video I found that really explained and showed fully what to do.
A 6" steel C-Clamp. Bleed the brake or dont. Clear fluid then tighten. Finish depressing the piston. Ref: 2006 Toyota Corolla. Great video. Always best to have options.
Wow! Thank you so much man! I bought new brake pads and while putting them on I noticed they were too thick, I started worrying I bought the wrong ones. I watched about 5 videos until I came across this one! Thank you so much! I got them on and they’re perfect
Man picked this one first since it was short and I was hoping it might give me something. No it gave me all I needed to know plus a bit more. Short and sweet and that's whats I likes abouts yous.
Perfect video... That's more like it. Straight to the point. I'd change both side front brakes pads in 30 minutes with your ideas... Will recommend your video. Thanks
I see the same comments and im going to say the same. I spent an hour trying to collapse it, watched a few different videos came across this video, tried it and it took me 30 seconds to do. I wish I saw this video earlier.
You can use that caliber collapsing tool to bleed the calliper without mounting it either. If the bleeder is stripped, and you have to bleed with the Brake line bolt, this allows to angle the caliper right to let air out. without being mounted.
I've always used the channel lock pliers method. Works great and I've always had a pair of channel lock pliers in the toolbox. Steering wheel puller also work great if you have one kicking around.
You should still be able compress the caliper/pistol without opening the bleeder. If it's that hard to compress with the bleeder closed it's possible the rubber hose leading to the caliper is faulty.
Thank you so much for this video I was able to complete my first ever brake pad change it seemed.a little bit daunting but this made it very easy for me 👍☺️
I had hoped you might be able to help. i had removed the rear calliper today and accidentally hit the ignition (electric parking break) and it automatically fully pushed the piston out while the calliper was disconnected. Now the piston is fully released, and i'm unable to get the piston to retract so I can fit the calliper tool. I have tried a socket to manually retract the calliper piston, but it's just spinning? Do you know if there is any way to couteract my error lol or do you think i will need a new unit. There is absolutely no gap in the calliper pistel for a calliper tool. it's completely pushed out and come loose.
4" C clamped worked great on Infiniti g20. I wish I would have noticed the warning about keeping the bleeder valve upright, though; I'm wondering if I let air in.
Do you ever open or crack open the brake fluid reservoir filler lid in the engine compartment? *I've done many brake jobs before using different methods to compress the pistons back into place. On one install, all these methods failed to retract the piston back into place. The only way was to open the brake reservoir cap to relive the back pressure in the system. With the cap loose, I could use my "tried and true" C-clamp. (Just wanted to share this tip.) Thanks for making this video!
Thanks for the video. Well done imho. Reminds me of hs auto shop back in the 60's before I had to work for a living and everything was still new and exciting.
I just pick up the loaner piston comp set from O'Reilly when I buy the new pads. A cheap c clamp is a handy addition to your brakes tool box, too. Harbor freight c clamp quality is good enough for this job.
Whatever method you use always push in the piston with equal pressure all around the piston, with dual piston calipers push in one piston at a time with bleed screw open, if pressure is applied to one area of piston it may go into bore at an angle and damage the piston and/or seal.
I discovered that my 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan is a dual piston so i have to do both pistons at the same time BUT 1 brake pad fits over both so the same tricks work. ALSO FYI when trying to do it before the caliper is off you have to push both back at the same time and it is a huge pain!
What happens if the piston is not flushed (reset to original flat position) When I changed my Honda civic 2007, I used a c clamp but didn't use old brake pads I don't even know if the thing went down. But I managed to put everything back together with new brake pads. The piston didn't come out too much
Thanks a lot. The Toyota Celica brake caliper design is terrible for the channel lock and C clamp method, because of the shape of the caliper, but I was able to use a bar clamp. Jeez!
Can i loosen the piston, just abit by pumping brake once or twice? Remove dirt and rust, then push it. Back inside? Just a temporary solution intill i get a new caliper.
I didn’t have any of those other tools and didn’t want to do #1 so I put my old brake pad in front of the piston and used the center plate and bolt from a harmonic balancer puller to drive the piston down
Hello I was wondering when you bleeder screw open is it required to bleed the breaks? I'm attempting my first break job on an 06 300. I was told to open the break fluid cap rather than the bleeder screw
I’m about to do my breaks on my car and I’m not sure if I have the turn to compress or not so I’m just watching different vids. I’ve been working on cars with my dad since I was 5/6 years old I’m 26 now I used to work on cars daily and I have never once in my life ever ever seen that first way with the screw driver. I’ve used an old pad and the handle of a screw driver and then another screwdriver to pry open. But never have I saw what I just witnessed I’m going to try that out.
This is how i do it and it works, but i encountered a problem with my fathers that we ended up replacing the caliper becsuse it would just not go back and it was so hard we bent the tool, then went to the other side and same thing, but i tried pumping and it went in turning and pushing the piston. The rubber boot was not damaged or twisted. I dont do it the twisting way because the boot tends to twist. But like i said. For some reason it worked that way. So we didnt have to replace that second caliper
Hi with the screw driver method, do you first pry on the rotor to make room to fit the screw driver between the piston/brake pad? Was hard to see in the video
I'm clamping down with a c clamp and not having any luck. What to do at this point? I've changed brakes on several vehicles and have never had this much trouble. 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
As others have said, I've watched numerous other YT videos on changing brakes, but never understood what they did to pry the brake pads apart with a pry bar or screwdriver. I always replace with new calipers, so I'm not worried about damaging what's coming out. This is an excellent, concise, and clearly narrated video. Thanks!
🎉8
You have to bleed your brakes after? Second time ive done this and lost pressure
I’ve been trying to compress my brake piston for about two hours and I watched about 10 videos and I finally came to your video and it finally helped thank you you’re a lifesaver
c clamp
Yes genious life saver y right!
Same problem here. I even used a c clamp. But it's still now budging
Are you working on rear brakes by any chance?
@@BarboursAutoHelp im working on my rear brake pads on a 2003 ford focus and it won't budge, can't find any info anywhere else on how to do it and someone told me that I need to unbolt something to get it to go back in
Back in the 80's, I was taught to compress the pistons with a clamp or pliers without opening the bleeders, but it makes complete sense to open them, especially on cars with an HCU.
It's crazy how many professional mechanics on you tube still dont open them, saying its not required.
Thanks for the video!
I ended up putting my wheel back cuz nobody is talking about the valve and about how you should push your piston back , they just talk about "changing the pads" . Great work man , keep us informed ! I want to see how to change the dashboard , gearnut and steering wheel . Ty !
I know these methods will work because he's doing it outside, at night, with a trouble light...just like I work on my stuff. These are the video's YT are meant for. Good stuff!
Concise, articulate and to the point with no unnecessary chatter or idiotic music. Thanks
Lost about an hour trying other methods from other videos. Saw method two from this video and I was done in 10 seconds. Thank you for this newfound knowledge.
Bro literally you showing me me where the fluid release was at the beginning of the video was literally all I needed I've been trying to change these brakes fo 3 f****** days thank you so much
Thank you! I got in that stage and didn't had the tool. Tried method 1 and worked right away! You are great sir!
tried the screwdriver method just to know if it would work in a pinch, and it did work. tho i wouldnt recommend it if you have another option as you can damage your rotor and brake pads.
i used the channel lock pliers method and it worked like a charm. cleaned everything up and regreased the slide bolts and its working great! i have dual caliper pistons and i took them from being stuck to compressed and fully functional in about 10 mins no problem. great video and tips!
less than 4 min video with multiple ways of solving the issue? good job man!
Bought a bronco 2 That had been sitting for 12 years! Rotors all rusted up calilpher piston fully out! Used the screwdriver pushing Inwards on the rotor enough to put the Screwdriver between the brake pad and the piston! Push the piston fully inwards, your method worked thanks a lot!
So glad someone on here did the versions correctly!! To many different ways and some will wreck brake hose or yourself. The screwdriver pry is my favorite to use
This is exactly what I was looking for. I’m changing my brakes for the first time. Thanks.
Glad I could help
Same here. I'm changing mine for the first time and wanted to let you know this was the video I found that really explained and showed fully what to do.
A 6" steel C-Clamp. Bleed the brake or dont. Clear fluid then tighten. Finish depressing the piston. Ref: 2006 Toyota Corolla. Great video. Always best to have options.
So Helpful ! I was stranded doing my brake pads and your video helped so much
Method 1 saved me after hours of stress and struggle!! Went way better than I expected and it even worked with my dual piston calipers! Thanks!
Wow! Thank you so much man! I bought new brake pads and while putting them on I noticed they were too thick, I started worrying I bought the wrong ones. I watched about 5 videos until I came across this one! Thank you so much! I got them on and they’re perfect
I have been usng channel locks for 20 years to change my pads. Good vid man. Save people alot of money doing pads yourself
I like how this video is straight to the point. Thanks!
That is one of my main goals with this channel. Thanks for commenting.
Top man not 1 way to collapse the piston but 4 different ways excellent guide
Man picked this one first since it was short and I was hoping it might give me something. No it gave me all I needed to know plus a bit more. Short and sweet and that's whats I likes abouts yous.
Perfect video... That's more like it. Straight to the point. I'd change both side front brakes pads in 30 minutes with your ideas... Will recommend your video. Thanks
Great video I just got 1 side done with your method it’s easy . I used first option with pri bar it worked thanks 😊
Thanks mate! Brilliant video! Fast concise with no fluff, you Sir are gentlemen.
Thanks
Thank you for the channel lock tip. That's all I had. Nowhere to go and no one to help. Thank you.
No problem
Thank you so much for your video! Helped me complete my brake pad job! You are Awesome! 🫡👏🙌 Hero!
You're welcome!
I see the same comments and im going to say the same. I spent an hour trying to collapse it, watched a few different videos came across this video, tried it and it took me 30 seconds to do. I wish I saw this video earlier.
Keep saying it!! Hit that like button! Thanks for the comment!
Your a live saver man👏.First time changing my brake pads
No problem 👍
I owe you a beer!! Using the old brake pad, my C clamp was big enough for method 3 :)
I just tried that screwdriver trick and it worked great. Thanks for the video!
You can use that caliber collapsing tool to bleed the calliper without mounting it either. If the bleeder is stripped, and you have to bleed with the Brake line bolt, this allows to angle the caliper right to let air out. without being mounted.
Legend brother the multi grips worked a treat
i love the fact that u do it quickly deserves a like
Thanks
Great video ! For my VW I was trying to push it in this whole time , little did I know they turn counter clock wise instead of using force 🤦♀️
Rudy Silva I’ve been trying this whole time to push it in on my mrk4 golf thank you so much
Rubik's Kid hell yeah
Dude, you just saved my night! 2000 Honda Accord turns also. Thank you good citizen.
Justin Vea welcome
Turn what? I opened the bleeder valve on my VW and piston won’t compress
Awesome. First method helped me. Almost no one else mentioned it. I’ll be making a video about it too. Thx!
Let's see that vid! Post a link here. It could help boost its views.
Thanks for the straight to the point video. Appreciate that.
No bull here.
This guy made my day instead of paying 300 for break I did them for 40 bucks😂
Thank you for getting straight to the point and being helpful 👍🏾
super helpful and straightforward!! thanks, man!!
Thank you bro saved me from having a headache
dont try to compress the piston with your head
I've always used the channel lock pliers method. Works great and I've always had a pair of channel lock pliers in the toolbox. Steering wheel puller also work great if you have one kicking around.
Gonna use the screwdriver method on my f150. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for reminding me to open up the bleed port. I was tightening the c clamp like a muv'fucka to no avail.
You should still be able compress the caliper/pistol without opening the bleeder. If it's that hard to compress with the bleeder closed it's possible the rubber hose leading to the caliper is faulty.
I think he had a hard time because the reservoir cap was still on and the system had no space to let air out.
LMAO 💯
The bleeder duh! I popped the reservoir cap but still struggling. I'm bending the tool 😆 damn Ford transit 250 made me work. Big thank you!
Thank you so much for this video I was able to complete my first ever brake pad change it seemed.a little bit daunting but this made it very easy for me 👍☺️
I had hoped you might be able to help. i had removed the rear calliper today and accidentally hit the ignition (electric parking break) and it automatically fully pushed the piston out while the calliper was disconnected.
Now the piston is fully released, and i'm unable to get the piston to retract so I can fit the calliper tool.
I have tried a socket to manually retract the calliper piston, but it's just spinning?
Do you know if there is any way to couteract my error lol or do you think i will need a new unit.
There is absolutely no gap in the calliper pistel for a calliper tool. it's completely pushed out and come loose.
Using a good old C clamp is a great idea! Thanks!
You helped me fix my mom's wp on the explorer, we meet again, thanks for these tips!!!
So cool!! Thanks for watching!
Do do you save me! The poor man's way was the only way I could LOL! I was stranded here until I came across your video
Excellent stuff, the written piece in the description is a big bonus
4" C clamped worked great on Infiniti g20. I wish I would have noticed the warning about keeping the bleeder valve upright, though; I'm wondering if I let air in.
Method 2 is a life saver 😫🙌🏾
Thank you boss I am about to try these methods out for the first time .
Have fun
Best caliper video ever!
Do you ever open or crack open the brake fluid reservoir filler lid in the engine compartment? *I've done many brake jobs before using different methods to compress the pistons back into place. On one install, all these methods failed to retract the piston back into place. The only way was to open the brake reservoir cap to relive the back pressure in the system. With the cap loose, I could use my "tried and true" C-clamp. (Just wanted to share this tip.) Thanks for making this video!
Thanks you video after watching about 10, was the biggest help
Glad it helped!
Thank you so much for posting. Your video was perfect. I used the C-Clamp and it worked beautifully.
That's great news!
Good video. You saved the day. Thanks, man.
THANKS DUD YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER
Thanks for the video. Well done imho. Reminds me of hs auto shop back in the 60's before I had to work for a living and everything was still new and exciting.
It's good to hang onto that feeling.... even in the middle of "real life".
That’s was quick and simple ,I did learn a few things
Glad to hear it
Finally an actually video
I just pick up the loaner piston comp set from O'Reilly when I buy the new pads. A cheap c clamp is a handy addition to your brakes tool box, too. Harbor freight c clamp quality is good enough for this job.
Daniel WW why ever go anywhere but Rockauto.com for any vehicle part?... waaay cheaper than the stores
@@susdad thanks for the tip. I will check that out.
Whatever method you use always push in the piston with equal pressure all around the piston, with dual piston calipers push in one piston at a time with bleed screw open, if pressure is applied to one area of piston it may go into bore at an angle and damage the piston and/or seal.
Very good stuff. Too bad I am not a car guy otherwise to watch all your videos.
You’re a LIFE SAVER.
What about rear calipers that requires to be twisted in?
good stuff man you just helped me get through it
you are a life saver!!!
I discovered that my 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan is a dual piston so i have to do both pistons at the same time BUT 1 brake pad fits over both so the same tricks work.
ALSO FYI when trying to do it before the caliper is off you have to push both back at the same time and it is a huge pain!
What happens if the piston is not flushed (reset to original flat position)
When I changed my Honda civic 2007, I used a c clamp but didn't use old brake pads I don't even know if the thing went down.
But I managed to put everything back together with new brake pads.
The piston didn't come out too much
You da man!!!! Poor mans way worked immediately
So simple mate
Got me out of a jam here today
Cheers
Thanks a lot. The Toyota Celica brake caliper design is terrible for the channel lock and C clamp method, because of the shape of the caliper, but I was able to use a bar clamp. Jeez!
Great job bro
Well I’ll be Damned! Give this man a 👍🏼
Can i loosen the piston, just abit by pumping brake once or twice? Remove dirt and rust, then push it. Back inside? Just a temporary solution intill i get a new caliper.
Should I fully open the bleeder valve? Then top up and bleed? My piston won't budge at all, I've bent my brake rewind kit trying!!
Gonna try Screw driver method on my Renault megane 2 lets see what happens. Thanks for the tips tho you got my sub !
Thank you.
Second method works for me thanks.... 💯
The best part about learning is telling your friends that they’re idiots with big hearts
I didn’t have any of those other tools and didn’t want to do #1 so I put my old brake pad in front of the piston and used the center plate and bolt from a harmonic balancer puller to drive the piston down
Hello I was wondering when you bleeder screw open is it required to bleed the breaks? I'm attempting my first break job on an 06 300. I was told to open the break fluid cap rather than the bleeder screw
I have a video on bleeding brakes. Go to my channel and thumb through my videos to find it. I would link it here but I’m on my phone and can’t.
@@BarboursAutoHelp I didn’t bleed or unscrew the cap am I introuble
Are your brakes working as designed?
I’m about to do my breaks on my car and I’m not sure if I have the turn to compress or not so I’m just watching different vids. I’ve been working on cars with my dad since I was 5/6 years old I’m 26 now I used to work on cars daily and I have never once in my life ever ever seen that first way with the screw driver. I’ve used an old pad and the handle of a screw driver and then another screwdriver to pry open. But never have I saw what I just witnessed I’m going to try that out.
the goat bro saved me fr
The nut and bolt worked for me. Awesome, and thanks!
What method can you tell me to use on a two piston brake caliper?
Sir you are a life saver
This is how i do it and it works, but i encountered a problem with my fathers that we ended up replacing the caliper becsuse it would just not go back and it was so hard we bent the tool, then went to the other side and same thing, but i tried pumping and it went in turning and pushing the piston. The rubber boot was not damaged or twisted. I dont do it the twisting way because the boot tends to twist. But like i said. For some reason it worked that way. So we didnt have to replace that second caliper
Hi with the screw driver method, do you first pry on the rotor to make room to fit the screw driver between the piston/brake pad? Was hard to see in the video
Why don't you just take the brake fluid reservoir cap off when collapsing the piston instead of opening the bleeder screw? advantage/disadvantage?
Thank you for posting!
No problem!
Not all heroes wear capes
I'm clamping down with a c clamp and not having any luck. What to do at this point? I've changed brakes on several vehicles and have never had this much trouble. 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
Rear brakes??
Thanks for the video. It has helped me today
Glad it helped
Thanks. Can you avoid bleeding the system if you open the bleed valve whilst collapsing the piston ?
Yes, I have information in the description about not allowing air to get in by tilting the caliper while the bleeder is open. Check it out.
@@BarboursAutoHelp thanks.
What if the whole piston popped off would these methods work too? The piston on goes in like a centimeter I've been having a hard time
Can also push them by hand sometimes. It is hard but possible.
What about the ones that you have to twist and push at the same time
Is it required to have to open the reservoir cap to get the piston to move back? Just making sure thanks
If the bleeder is cracked then no. Other wise; it should be open
That is a hardcore piston compressor