Wilwood Brake piston spreader

gfield · Post by **gfield** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:55 am

I had spoken to Bob Conway about a piston spreader for the Wilwood Brake kit. Anyone know the website or company that makes them?

Sincerely,
Greg Field
1997 Boston Green M3 coupe

ncoker · Post by **ncoker** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:32 am

I use an old pad and a screw driver to move them gently. Is there really need for anything else?

gfield · Post by **gfield** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:22 am

That is what I just used, I had the bleeder valve open and it feels like it was just stuck. After some work it went very smoothly, but I am concerned I may damage the pad or the rotor, because I am switching from track pads back to street pads and want to reuse them.

Sincerely,
Gregory Field
1997 Boston Green M3 Coupe

ncoker · Post by **ncoker** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:11 pm

I keep a set of really used pads and use them to compress the pistons. I don't see how you can damage the pistons that way.

Trick to it is not to force it suddenly but put moderate pressure on it and wait.

colin · Post by **colin** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:43 pm

Greg,

You probably didn't realize it but BBK pad spreaders cost like $200. Are you happy with the screwdriver now?

c.

jont · Post by **jont** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 1:48 pm

Is using a C clamp OK? That's what I've used in the past.

skreiman · Post by **skreiman** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 7:03 pm

Greg - mid priced non screw driver option:

http://www.amazon.com/Disc-Brake-Piston ... 00&sr=8-89

Scott

m20power · Post by **m20power** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:14 pm

As Scott shows, that's a good option. I haven't found where I got mine, but it's essentially the same as what Scott found. Jon, for a four piston caliper, you need to compress all four at once...these tools are suited for the job.

Bob

ncoker · Post by **ncoker** » Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:07 am

m20power wrote:.... for a four piston caliper, you need to compress all four at once....

Bob

It is nice to do it that way if you have the tool, but you don't have to.
- compress one side, (leave the opposite pad in)
- drop in the good pads
- then compress the other side
- drop in the pads

Done. No?

rpob5t · Post by **rpob5t** » Sat Oct 01, 2011 9:51 pm

I've got the same tool that scott and bob mention, overall it works pretty good and is affordable (versus the $200-300 race spreaders). you just have to take care to grab both pistons (paddle isn't very big); but I'd imagine an easy solution would be to take some used up pads down to the backing plate and put the spreader behind that...

victory1auto · Post by **victory1auto** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:53 am

Google OTC7034 and Lisle 29100, both inexpensive alternatives. A pry bar, possibly augmented by a wood shim, against the old pads will work in a pinch.

I agree with Nafi: if you take your time you don't need to do all 4 pistons simultaneously.

Remember: bleeder screw[s] open when you retract pistons. Also, some folks have set ABS/DSC codes by retracting pistions with the ignition ON, so make sure it isn't.

Vic

Bossertrot · Post by **Bossertrot** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 8:27 pm

I have the Girodisc tool and I love it but it's not cheap.

http://www.girodisc.com/Tools_c_17.html

m20power · Post by **m20power** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:22 pm

Found this, looks good - will probably order...

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/prod ... category=1

The Giro tool is nice, but I like to have one hand free to work the bleeders.

Bob

DougDish · Post by **DougDish** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:11 am

Bob, the Lislecorp tool shows one photo of it in use and the operator is using two hands.

Doug

m20power · Post by **m20power** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:59 pm

Got the Lisle tool today - looks great. Will bring to Lightning this weekend if anyone wants to see/use/try.

Bob