prestonian

How necessary is the tool to turn the piston on the rear caliper when replacing pads and rotors?
I have always used a C-clamp on past vehicles.

hammer 10

I had to use it to do mine, the pistons in the rear calipers have to turn to retract them. The C-clamp works fine on the fronts. Maybe someone has a idea for a home built tool or way to do it ??? ~ John Buchtenkirch

audisowner

Doable with c-clamp and large water pump pliers. Takes some time, and good chance of damaging rubber dust cover. Piece of cake with the tool which goes on sale often.<ul><li><a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40732">clicky</a></li></ul>

DennisStehlik

on this one I went and spent the $30 for the super fancy kit with the attachments for every car they could think of. It makes the job Super Easy with this tool.

gtrucinski

You can find a universal tool at any autoparts store and I think you might even be able to rent it at autozone. It makes the job easy and you must turn the rear pistons to get retraction. A c-clamp alone will only damage the piston. You get the tool and you have it for life and I think it is less than $10.

Audi Logic

but the first time you use the tool it paid for itself.

A6Gary

that is not made in China (as is the Harbour Freight Tool), and it is very similar to the VAG tool, plus it includes the thin wrench that you'll need to hold the caliper carrier bolt.

If you'd rather have a cheaper tool, I bought one of the brake tool cubes on eBay that will work, just not as well as the Metal Nerd tool or OEM. If interested, let me know. You can have it for $5 plus shipping.<ul><li><a href="http://www.metalnerd.com/cat08.htm">Metal Nerd</a></li></ul>

Audi Logic

Yeah its made in china, but its works really good and can be used for lots of cars not just Audi/Vw..
My only complaint about it was the crappy case it came in. the tool itself was of decent quality (but not the best)

that cube tool is worthless is you ask me..
I had one from back in the day and none of the sides fit the Audi piston, I had to file down part of it to get it to fit and even then I still could not get the piston to compress...

The_Hamster

Makes it easier sure, but no real need.

I use a standard brake caliper tool, and then just turn the piston with pliers or whatever. Makes short work of it and costs me nothing as I have the standard compressing tool already.

Also, you should open the bleeder screw and stick a hose onto the nipple into a bottle while compressing any caliper. This forces any crap from the piston area out the bleeder instead of back up the brake line. This is especially important on cars with ABS.

snowman '92 100

2nd. Just used it and works like a charm!