Tricks for centering brake calliper pistons?

[Skylark]

Anyone know any tricks for centering brake calliper pistons?

 

Apart from using a screwdriver as a lever to hold the protruding pad back, which tends to damage the edges of the calliper and isn't always very easy or possible on some callipers.

[V12man]

Birzman clam shells make life easy - worth a try

[Skylark]

Birzman clam shells make life easy - worth a try

Pic? Never heard of that, I have a park tool calliper piston spreader which is priceless but it doesn't seem to help with holding one pad to the side to allow the other to come out because it levers against the other pad.

[Lance Roberts]

[V12man]

Pic? Never heard of that, I have a park tool calliper piston spreader which is priceless but it doesn't seem to help with holding one pad to the side to allow the other to come out because it levers against the other pad.

Try using a brake bleed block to push them all back equally.

[rouxtjie]

Try using a brake bleed block to push them all back equally.

yip.....take out pads....rag and flatnose to push pistons back

[V12man]

yip.....take out pads....rag and flatnose to push pistons back

I prefer using old destroyed pads and the spreader lever - so the pistons don't get marked - but someone should really make a proper pad spreader tool - should be easy enough with a set of old pads and a bolt - and a tig torch applied with some skill...

[Pall Catt]

A trick I learned from youtube is to loosen the entire caliper enough that it can wiggle around and then apply your brakes, then tighten the caliper again while still holding the brakes in and that should pretty much centre it. It works for me.

[DirtyDan]

Similar to the Birzman clamp, you take a thick business card and fold it in half, then slide it over the disc between the pads before pulling the lever and tightening the bolts.

[droo]

A plastic tyre lever won't damage the piston. Use it to hold the working piston back and operate the lever to get the stuck one out. Repeat a few times until they work more or less evenly - it may take a few cycles.

[dirtrider]

I use a feeler gauge but most people here most probably never seen or used one . 

[NotSoBigBen]

A plastic tyre lever won't damage the piston. Use it to hold the working piston back and operate the lever to get the stuck one out. Repeat a few times until they work more or less evenly - it may take a few cycles.

 

I have had  some success with just squirting the 'stuck' one with a bit of Q20 or such before slowly pushing it back (after removing the brake pads )

[Ferro]

Thanks guys. Was struggling with this very same problem on the weekend.

[droo]

I have had  some success with just squirting the 'stuck' one with a bit of Q20 or such before slowly pushing it back (after removing the brake pads )

 

The best stuff to use is whatever fluid's in the brake. Just make sure you give the caliper a good wash afterwards to avoid contaminating pads when you reinstall.

[hayleyearth]

Anyone know any tricks for centering brake calliper pistons?

 

Apart from using a screwdriver as a lever to hold the protruding pad back, which tends to damage the edges of the calliper and isn't always very easy or possible on some callipers.

 

Which brakes are you talking about?

 

Because if it is like a double piston issue and it keeps on recurring after pushing them back all and using the brakes again, then you have to clean the pistons thoroughly (my Hopes gave me this issue a lot, so I bought Guides  )

 

But otherwise I do what V12 also mentioned, (with double pistons) old brake pads in and gently pushing them back with a flat tool a bit at a time both sides so it kinda goes back equally and not one (or one side) fully with the other still out completely. 

[hayleyearth]

I have had  some success with just squirting the 'stuck' one with a bit of Q20 or such before slowly pushing it back (after removing the brake pads )

 

Don't do this.