Do I have everything I need for a brake job?

[b5a4erik]

Halo,

I'm about to be doing a brake job, and am wondering if I have everything I need:

• Fluid
• Front Lines
• Mid Lines
• Rear Lines
• Pads
• Rotors

Anything else / Advise?

[xdewaynex]

For the rears, you need the clamp that rotates the piston as its being compressed. This tool can be rented from Auto Zone.

[b5a4erik]

For the rears, you need the clamp that rotates the piston as its being compressed. This tool can be rented from Auto Zone.

Word, thanks man.

[pgiuliano98]

You can also manually do it by compressing the piston with a C clamp and twisting it by hand with a vise grip.


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[Avant Nate]

I took an extra socket and ground it down to make the tabs necessary, if you can't rent the tool.

[elduderino200]

If you plan on doing your own brakes from time to time, it may be worth it to invest in a kit:

Only $26 from amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/8milelake-21pc...e+caliper+tool

[Davdraco1]

I tried rigging something when I didn't have the tool, take the extra time and get the tool.

[Avant Nate]

Seriously not hard to make the tool if you have a bench grinder. Don't forget caliper grease.

[ricekikr]

I bought the square ebay tool thats used with a ratchet. It worked but was difficult to use. Functions same as the socket above but shallower teeth, always slipped.

I use medium sized long nose pliers to twist and push (more of twist then push then twist.....). Not perfect but works easily enough.

For the fronts, c clamps makes things much easier (use the pad for the piston and a piece of wood in between the clamp and caliper).

[Wrath And Tears]

I use the factory tool. Crazy expensive, don't recommend it. That being said it is the only tool that can retract the piston if it fully extends. Although if Nates ground socket fits through the forks on the caliper then it could work as well. The tool also works on mini and volvo and a few others though.

To answer your unasked question, yes.... My shop has customers who refuse brake replacements for so long that the backing pads of the brakes wear through and or shoot out and then they have worn down the piston until it pops out of the caliper. We have to replace the caliper in those cases (really rare). For that reason its good to have a tool that works with the super extended positions.

[b5a4erik]

Word to everybody above.

I believe the local AutoZone will be able to rent me out that tool, however I appreciate all the input.

[b5a4erik]

Seriously not hard to make the tool if you have a bench grinder. Don't forget caliper grease.

Caliper Grease

I use the factory tool. Crazy expensive, don't recommend it. That being said it is the only tool that can retract the piston if it fully extends. Although if Nates ground socket fits through the forks on the caliper then it could work as well. The tool also works on mini and volvo and a few others though.

To answer your unasked question, yes.... My shop has customers who refuse brake replacements for so long that the backing pads of the brakes wear through and or shoot out and then they have worn down the piston until it pops out of the caliper. We have to replace the caliper in those cases (really rare). For that reason its good to have a tool that works with the super extended positions.

I did ask a question, although only in the title... yet gotchu, thanks man. Ordered the parts so I think they'll be replaced in time before the calipers are donezo

P.S ~ What's your shop man? I'm posted in the Santa Cruz area, if I ever need any work done I'd be down to roll through.

[Wrath And Tears]

Hahaha my bad, I didn't mean you specifically. More for people who may be wondering why I needed a tool to reset fully extended calipers. So that was my bad on setting up that joke.

My shop is in Larkspur, pretty far to drive for work and prices are expensive due to the area. Pretty sure there are or were some modded B5 guys down your way who could recommend a good shop. Forget their names off the top of my head.

[b5a4erik]

Hahaha my bad, I didn't mean you specifically. More for people who may be wondering why I needed a tool to reset fully extended calipers. So that was my bad on setting up that joke.

My shop is in Larkspur, pretty far to drive for work and prices are expensive due to the area. Pretty sure there are or were some modded B5 guys down your way who could recommend a good shop. Forget their names off the top of my head.

Ahahah oh ight, and fasho man, sounds good!

[OverSpun]

How are you planning on bleeding your brakes? Don't plan on stomping on your brake pedal, it won't work as well that you expect.

Power bleeder.

[ElSabio182]

I used that Motive power bleeder for the first time a few months ago (first time bleeding brakes, had a mechanic alongside me)....I gotta say, that thing didn't quite live up to expectations. I'll be the first to suggest that it might be "user-error"...but the mechanic watching me didn't see any obvious errors.

Had a tough time getting started, getting kinks and bubbles out of the hose. I really had to crank the PSI to get anything moving, way higher than most reviews I'd read. For the catch-can, the little nipple on the catch-bottle hose was too tight or something to let the fluid drain from the caliper into the catch-hose. Ended up having to just us a normal length of tubing. Made a mess, though. 6 months later, the system still works and nothing broke, so I'll give it another shot next time.

TL;DR - the thing ended up working, it just didn't work as easily as I'd hoped. It's still the best option if you've never done it before and/or are doing the job by yourself, OP.

[b5a4erik]

How are you planning on bleeding your brakes? Don't plan on stomping on your brake pedal, it won't work as well that you expect.

Power bleeder.

A pleasure to have you post, will look into this.

I used that Motive power bleeder for the first time a few months ago (first time bleeding brakes, had a mechanic alongside me)....I gotta say, that thing didn't quite live up to expectations. I'll be the first to suggest that it might be "user-error"...but the mechanic watching me didn't see any obvious errors.

Had a tough time getting started, getting kinks and bubbles out of the hose. I really had to crank the PSI to get anything moving, way higher than most reviews I'd read. For the catch-can, the little nipple on the catch-bottle hose was too tight or something to let the fluid drain from the caliper into the catch-hose. Ended up having to just us a normal length of tubing. Made a mess, though. 6 months later, the system still works and nothing broke, so I'll give it another shot next time.

TL;DR - the thing ended up working, it just didn't work as easily as I'd hoped. It's still the best option if you've never done it before and/or are doing the job by yourself, OP.

Word to that.

[OverSpun]

A pleasure to have you post, will look into this.

You're welcome. I have not used one in a very long time but there may be youtube videos to learn how the bleeder works. Good luck-

[richardodn]

I used that Motive power bleeder for the first time a few months ago (first time bleeding brakes, had a mechanic alongside me)....I gotta say, that thing didn't quite live up to expectations. I'll be the first to suggest that it might be "user-error"...but the mechanic watching me didn't see any obvious errors.

Had a tough time getting started, getting kinks and bubbles out of the hose. I really had to crank the PSI to get anything moving, way higher than most reviews I'd read. For the catch-can, the little nipple on the catch-bottle hose was too tight or something to let the fluid drain from the caliper into the catch-hose. Ended up having to just us a normal length of tubing. Made a mess, though. 6 months later, the system still works and nothing broke, so I'll give it another shot next time.

TL;DR - the thing ended up working, it just didn't work as easily as I'd hoped. It's still the best option if you've never done it before and/or are doing the job by yourself, OP.

I find a combo of the pressure bleed and foot pump works best.