Caliper Wind Back tool

Mart34

Hi Guys

I'm trying to replace my brake pads on the rear of my Cmax. All went well getting the caliper off but after trying to rewqind the piston using long nose pliers it was just too stiff.

I've managed to find a stockist of wind back tools, however they have a standard winder, or a left handed 1. Which 1 do I need to use for my Cmax, obviously the last thing I need is it turn it the wrong way and knowing my luck busting the thing.

Stigy

Mart34 wrote: »

Hi Guys

I'm trying to replace my brake pads on the rear of my Cmax. All went well getting the caliper off but after trying to rewqind the piston using long nose pliers it was just too stiff.

I've managed to find a stockist of wind back tools, however they have a standard winder, or a left handed 1. Which 1 do I need to use for my Cmax, obviously the last thing I need is it turn it the wrong way and knowing my luck busting the thing.

I think it refers to the user being left/right handed (even then I don't see the difference with such a tool?). These tools are fairly universal in their operation as they're generally quite a simple set-up, if a little fiddly.

straighttalker

It doesn't refer to the user, it refers to the direction of travel of the rewind tool when it is turned. Most pistons go in when wound the normal way, but some need to be wound in the opposite direction to force them in. I'd check in a Ford forum if I were you.

Stigy

straighttalker wrote: »

It doesn't refer to the user, it refers to the direction of travel of the rewind tool when it is turned. Most pistons go in when wound the normal way, but some need to be wound in the opposite direction to force them in. I'd check in a Ford forum if I were you.

Which is why I said that their general operation is universal, which it is from the ones I've used....Oh well, learn something new every day!

Mart34

Ya see I wondered if that's what it actually meant. Just done a search through Google to see if there are any similiar posts and found 1 that said it rewinds Clockwise which is what I expected. Will pick 1 up later

colino

This is an honest and sincere post. One, if you are only working on one car, you really shouldn't bother with the expense of buying a tool to do a one off job. Secondly, if you cannot see how basic the brake mechanism is and work out how to wind the piston back with a simple, other, hand tool, I really don't think you should be messing with your brakes.

Stigy

colino wrote: »

This is an honest and sincere post. One, if you are only working on one car, you really shouldn't bother with the expense of buying a tool to do a one off job. Secondly, if you cannot see how basic the brake mechanism is and work out how to wind the piston back with a simple, other, hand tool, I really don't think you should be messing with your brakes.

I am of the same opionion, however, more worn callipers, even if not partially seized, are quite tough. Usually a pair of swan neck grips and a screw driver will suffice, but I had to bite the bullet on my Golf and use a winder. Other improvisation would work but I was limited as to what tools I had at the time. The simplest way for a DIY'er is to use the correct tool for the job for ease.

redux

What does the piston face look like and how would the tool engage it?

You might be able to improvise, a method something like one or two screwdrivers, one long one across to do the turning, and maybe a shorter one held at right angles to the other to help fix it at one side.

Same sort of trick works in several areas, like opening the cap of an oil drum.

But be sure it's not going to slip off and you hurt yourself.

Mart34

colino wrote: »

This is an honest and sincere post. One, if you are only working on one car, you really shouldn't bother with the expense of buying a tool to do a one off job. Secondly, if you cannot see how basic the brake mechanism is and work out how to wind the piston back with a simple, other, hand tool, I really don't think you should be messing with your brakes.

Thank you for your honesty, I do appreciate it. I've replaced pads many many times before but always been front wheels, whereby you just push with force. Never attempted rear brakes, similar set up apart from the piston. I may have another attempt with the long nose pliers and a set of mole grips later, before I pay out for a tool i may not use or never use again.

Thank you also to everyone for your help, again it is appreciated.

Mart34

I have found this on a Cmax owners club forum, all seem to be saying they caliper winds back clockwise

http://www.cmaxownersclub.co.uk/forum/technical-39/brake-rewind-tool-7969/

Mart34

Just an update, more to help people looking for help with the rewind of the piston.

I found a stockist of the wind back tool, and purchased for £14.99. Managed to get the Caliper off this afternoon and attempted to attach the wind back tool to find the 1 supplied adapter didn't fit the piston on the Caliper, (if your thinking of buying a wind back tool I would suggest buying the kit that supplies a number of sized adapters) after finding the adapter didn't fit I sprayed a little WD40 round the piston to free up any rust and pushed (with force) and rotated with a pair of long nose pliers, it eventually retracted far enough to slide over the new pads. (Turning CLOCKWISE both sides)

Very happy now that I've saved about £100 or however much it cost these days to have brakes replaced.

Like I say, this is more for informative information, thank you for everyone's suggestions and advice over the last few days. Further information if required. The car I was working on was a 2005 FORD FOCUS CMAX 1.8