Pressing brake piston using wrenches - GIF

[nova_robotics]

Don't do this with modern calipers that use phenolic pistons. The brake retract tools that have the two flaps that go in there and push out are much better.

Watch out for a lot of European calipers that have that stupid screw inside. Those things won't retract at all no matter how hard you push on them. You have to push and spin the piston to get it to retract. They need a special tool.

Newer cars with electric parking brakes are another issue entirely. Although I think most of them are actually easier because you can get them to retract themselves with a 12v battery. Yeah that's probably better.

[bob47907]

Yeah-I discovered this when I first swapped pads on my Audi. Autozone loaner tools for the win!