Rear brakes piston

**Dannyboy** · 03-29-2008 08:56 PM

Is there a trick to compressing the caliber piston? I have a tool, but only able to turn it a few times, it's impossible to install back, because there is not enough room for the disc only about 1/8 of an inch between the pads. Parking brake is off, car in 1st gear. 2003 A4 3.0. Thanks

**junkie1.8TQ** · 03-29-2008 08:58 PM

try using a 6" c-clamp. also have you checked the DYI or maybe a4mods.com? There might be a write up for rear brakes.

**Dannyboy** · 03-29-2008 09:02 PM

Thanks. I did a search, there is a brief mention about how to replace rear brakes, sound like business as usual, just like any other car.

**gotquattro** · 03-30-2008 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dannyboy

Is there a trick to compressing the caliber piston? I have a tool, but only able to turn it a few times, it's impossible to install back, because there is not enough room for the disc only about 1/8 of an inch between the pads. Parking brake is off, car in 1st gear. 2003 A4 3.0. Thanks

What "tool"?

The infamous "cube of death"? Or a real caliper compression tool?

Below copied & pasted from another post here.....

Ah, the trusty ol CubeO'Death....
Used & bloodied many a time over the years.

My Audi laughed at it.

Really. No amount of pressure and turning would convince the piston to retract. Yes, I'm old and have abused many a caliper over the years, but these needed "The Tool"

I now own the schw...sc..... the one ECS sells......

Glad to have it, and it's got the different adapters making it worth it just to avoid using c-clamps on my future caliper abuse missions...

The power bleeder too is handy...

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**Dannyboy** · 03-30-2008 06:23 PM

Nothing fancy, just something with a big knob at the end and a metal plate you can adjust and turn to press the piston in, $9.99 from Kragan. Do i need that tool from ECS? Not that expensive, my car is on jack stands for 2 days now. I too have the power bleeder. Thanks

**drmarcj** · 03-30-2008 07:13 PM

You can't just compress it straight in with a C-clamp - it needs a thingy that turns the piston at the same time as it compresses. Don't try needle-nose pliers, you're liable to mess up your calipers. As they said above, the cube doesn't get rave reviews either.

You can often borrow a cylinder compressor kit from a shop like Autozone, and what they'll give you is basically the kit that ECS sells. Works like a charm.

**n7plus1** · 03-30-2008 07:15 PM

go rent the tool from advanced auto/auto zone

**Dirty** · 03-30-2008 07:21 PM

I used the cube of death! I had to file it down a little to get it to fit, but it worked. It takes a little elbow grease to get the piston to go back in, just make sure you have the cap off the reserver tank or it will be a bitch!