I'm going to start servicing my brakes on my own. Anyone did a DIY for our car?

Do I need this specialized tool, or can I use a C-clamp?

Thanks.

 

No need. i just put the old worn brake pad on top of the piston and push it back using a c clamp.

 

C-Clamp worked well for me on the rear brake change. Actually a very easy car to change the brakes on.

 

clamp, or just push it in with your hands like i did.

 

soundmike has strong hands!

 

There is also a $10 piston tool at autozone you can use. Sometimes I find other uses for it too so it's worth having one around. The only ones I hate doing are the rear brakes since some of them need to be turned CW or CCW to reseat and I dislike using channel locks to do them but it seems like I can never find a quality OEM tool to do it with.

 

I've gotten the pistons back in with just a squeeze as well. They're actually some of the easiest brakes I've worked with. If you make sure to remove the master cylinder cap first, it's an easy reset.
If it's a bit too much for your girlie hands, a vise-grip c-clamp does the trick pretty quickly and it's something you can use with one hand while holding the caliper with the other.

 

i rented that kit from Vatozone when i did my front brakes, made it easier but could have easily used a C-clamp as well.

 

You're correct. I didn't even need the C-clamp. Pushing it by hand works.

I've got an urgent question for you guys: I've replaced the rear OEM pads. When I installed the new outer pads, I could move them by hand on the pad retainer.

However the new inner pads (both sides) are quite hard to move by hand. Is this expected?

I've greased the retainer with some antiseize grease and the inner pads still don't move.

 

i pried mine off with a screwdriver within a few seconds, but be careful not to mess up the clips, i just jammed the driver behind the pad and used a back and forth motion to get em off quick.

 

kool_yaar,

When you installed the inner pads, did they move freely on the clips? Mine were tight to put back and once installed, I couldn't move them using my fingers.

I can move the outer ones easily. Is this normal?

 

got your and pm and replied

 

Also make sure not to push back to fast....slow and steady

 

Some rear calipers as such in my old car, tiburon, and my buddy's RSX, you need the tool for the rears as the piston doesn't push in, it turns in.

Our car, as well as my buddy's newer altima simply push in as others here have stated.

 

^ yep. My old Maxima was the same way, i used long nose pliers