Brake pad replacment (pesky pistons)

[thstone]

If the caliper is still mounted on the car (you're just changing the pads and not removing the rotors), the C-clamp should still work fine, just put the fixed end of the clamp onto the piston and the threaded end on the back of the caliper.

However, if you can't get the fixed end of the clamp in between the rotor and the piston, then you'll have to try to use something as a lever that will fit between the rotor and the piston to push the caliper back in without damaging the rotor or the piston. A piece of wood can work be used or a screwdriver with a rag on the rotor and a thin piece of wood or metal on the piston.

[ekam]

Yea small pieces of wood and a stick to pivot the piston back in should work too.

Or if you're feeling really rich you can get this.

http://www.girodisc.com/Caliper-piston-spreader_p_1926.html

[kabel]

+ the pad separator tool works, with the cap off the reservoir or not.
You do not need to bleed if you take the cap off the reservoir.
I have that big c-clamp and used it as well, very cumbersome and the brake pad separator is less expensive and easier to use IMO.
Slow steady pressure like thistone mentioned. I use a paint stick/stirrer to protect either the pad or the piston if I need to.

Funny, I had to use my big c-clamp this weekend to do the pads on the BMW because I forgot I had lent my separator to a buddy.

[timothy]

I swap brake pads quite often (track and street); here's the method that works for me. Quite a few use a c-clamp but I've never been a big fan of that approach.
1. Put the old pads back in the caliper
2. Position a set of slip joint pliers in the space above the rotor and between the pads so the jaws touch the tab at the top of each pad.
3. Pull apart on the pliers handles. As the jaws separate they push outward on the pads and pistons are forced back into the calipers.
4. Remove the old pads and insert the new.
5. Reinstall retaining hardware

[Jager]

Originally Posted by timothy

I swap brake pads quite often (track and street); here's the method that works for me. Quite a few use a c-clamp but I've never been a big fan of that approach.
1. Put the old pads back in the caliper
2. Position a set of slip joint pliers in the space above the rotor and between the pads so the jaws touch the tab at the top of each pad.
3. Pull apart on the pliers handles. As the jaws separate they push outward on the pads and pistons are forced back into the calipers.
4. Remove the old pads and insert the new.
5. Reinstall retaining hardware

My method is very similar to Timothy's except I use this tool (pictured). Makes the job very easy, instead of pulling apart the handles I squeeze them together to separate the pads. I believe Sears carries a similar tool.