Z32 Caliper piston spreader tool?

[ddgsxr504]

I have 30mm Z32 calipers on my S14, does anyone know where I can buy a caliper piston spreader or let me know how you reset the pistons when doing a pad and rotor job?

I looked at harbor frieght's online store but came up nill? I'm looking to buy from local retailers so as not to have to ship and wait.

Thanks

[sil8tdrftr]

use old pad and a c-clamp

[ad-absurdum]

use a c-clamp to compress the front pistons. Like above poster said, put a piece of cardboard between the clamp and the piston to protect the piston. C clamps can be had at any hardware store. The rears pistons are different, though. They twist in like a screw. Do NOT try to compress them with a clamp. You can use something like a crescent or pliers to twist it if it doesn't twist in on its own.

[ddgsxr504]

Thanks for the response but both of you obviously don't know what I'm talking about. I have 300ZX 4 PISTON BRAKES, meaning 2 pistons on each side. You can't fit a C clamp in there.

For reference here is what the brakes look like.....

[ad-absurdum]

Woa, damn. Yeah, I have no idea how to do that.

[MagikDragon]

i've used a pry bar, Anything that you can use to push them back, if you plan on bleeding the calipers anyway, i guess you can open up the bleeder valve to relieve the pressure.

[DriftX]

You could use two c clamps...you could use a caliper tool (rent at autozone)

[ddgsxr504]

Well I went to Sears and they didn't have one but I found one on Sears.com. For the record I don't want to rent one, I would rather buy it.

For future reference here is what it looks like.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...0003a

[duffman1278]

Thanks for the update! I'll have to buy this tool soon.

[rroderiques77]

If the caliper is still on the vehicle with pads installed....use a prybar to pry the inner pad against the 2 inner pistons(inner, because its the hard angle to get at, i do hardest first). u might wanna hold the steering wheel. remove worn inner pad and install new pad to keep inner pistons retracted. now with new pad installed on the inside, now pry the outer pad against the outer pistons. now u should have clearance for new outer pad......If the caliper is off the car, and you dont have the pad spreader tool. just split the caliper in half by removing X amount of bolts that keep the 2 halves together. there may be a line connecting the 2 halves, u must disconnect the line obviously.

[ddgsxr504]

If the caliper is still on the vehicle with pads installed....use a prybar to pry the inner pad against the 2 inner pistons(inner, because its the hard angle to get at, i do hardest first). u might wanna hold the steering wheel. remove worn inner pad and install new pad to keep inner pistons retracted. now with new pad installed on the inside, now pry the outer pad against the outer pistons. now u should have clearance for new outer pad......If the caliper is off the car, and you dont have the pad spreader tool. just split the caliper in half by removing X amount of bolts that keep the 2 halves together. there may be a line connecting the 2 halves, u must disconnect the line obviously.

Holy sh*t dude, have you ever heard the saying... "Work smarter not harder"?

I could change pads and rotors on 4 corners and bleed the brakes in the time it would take to do all that crap.

[rroderiques77]

"All that work"?? bro ur just compressing pistons. i can actually do that quicker than with the spreader tool, cuz u still have to pry open the pads to get the spreader tool in place....or remove the caliper. i see ur reading my post...but are u comprehending? what i said takes 2 minutes....unless ur.....you

[ddgsxr504]

How do I have to pry open the pads to get the spreader tool in there?

You unbolt the caliper, slide the tool in with the stock pads still in place and then manually adjust the tool to reset the pistons. Remove old pads, drop in new ones and bolt the caliper back on. Sorry but I don't think I will be cranking on my ALUMINUM Z32 calipers with a prybar.

The reason they make "speciality" tools is so you can do the job without f*cking up the part. Maybe you have more money to spend to replace sh*t when it breaks by doing things other than intended, I don't.

[rroderiques77]

well, i say u have to spread the pads apart by prying before u can install the tool, cuz removing the caliper bolts might have been too much work for u. u already think spreading pistons is alot of work. just trying to give you the fastest/easiest way buddy. i know you can remove the caliper and slide it off the rotor to install the spreader tool....but im trying to save you "work". And if you know all this stuff, why are you asking? and yes, i too believe you should use the right tool for the job...thats why i have a piston spreader....it sounded like you were looking for a way around using the spreader tool... and you CAN pry gently to spread it and NOT mess up the caliper bro. just be gentle. i do it every day...today was a Tundra(notice how i still use the pry method even though i have a spreader? sometimes its easier, sometimes its not. today was simple pad slap, so i pry until i have room for the spreader. then i use it....no need to remove caliper;'))

[ddgsxr504]

Well, I appreciate your suggestion. Yes I already know how to do it, my thread was created to ask people where to get the tool. Removing the caliper is not too much work for me, I prefer it so as it makes the job easier and more straight forward.

[SINsanity702]

In that case, you should be able to source the tool anywhere....Autozone, Checkers, Sears, Harbor Freight, Carquest, Nevada Brake, Tool trucks....long list. i got mine from the Matco truck, but ive seen them at Sears