Changing front brake pads

I bought a used 05 Tundra and I'm changing the front break pads for first time, I watched a YouTube video to see how to push the pads into push the Pistons in, he said to use a push pin but idk what size to use? Any help much appreciated!

 

Do you have a c-clamp? You can put the old pads back in the caliper and tighten it to get the piston to go back in. You might have luck pushing it in with a 2x4 or pry bar.

Screenshot of a c-clamp in action.

 

Careful with that pic, des2mtn. You're getting awfully close to Professional Hand Models turf...

 

I used two screw drivers to pry them back and then used a c-clamp

 

I'm a fan of cracking open the bleeder to reset the calipers. It requires much less force to move the pistons and it keeps you from pushing cooked brake fluid backwards through the system. Gravity bleed for a minute or two to make sure you didn't introduce air into the calipers. Top off with new fluid.

Another benefit is that it makes multi piston calipers more manageable. You don't end up playing whack-a-mole with the pistons.

 

Aren't they two piston calipers? I believe they are. If that's the case you need to be careful pushing one piston in because the other one will push out and if I recall that can make it pop past the ring or something.

I have used welding style clamps before. You just work the two pistons a little at a time going back and forth. It's easy peasy.

 

Yeah, they're two piston calipers. That's why I recommended re-using the old brake pad and center the clamp instead of using the clamp on the pistons themselves.

 

Makes sense. I've never tried that but it seems like it would work nicely.

 

Aren't they 4 piston calipers?

 

Yes, two on each side of the rotor.

 

This is the method I use

 

And here's me remembering I did new pads and calipers 2 years ago. They even look good still. How I forgot they were 4 piston...

 

Nobody's gonna mention you gotta turn the rotors or replace them if you're putting in new pads? Just in case?

 

Yup, that's is what I usually do. I flip the rotor around 180º, mounting it backwards. Literally haven't had to change my brake pads since, the caliper doesn't even make contact with the rotor anymore.

(j/k kids, don't try this at home. yes, I know what turning rotors means. if you're going to do that @ every pad change, why not just get new rotors and pads at same time?!)

 

I may go against the grain here but, I've never done this. If my rotors have warped, it makes no sense to me to have them turned. If they warped, they'll warp again under less heat and load when you take material off them. If they're not warped, the new pads shouldn't have a problem bedding on a plumb rotor. If I have a warped rotor, I just buy a new one. In fact, I usually just buy a pair and do both sides.

 

I concur. I usually just buy new rotors when it's time to change pads. It's just less of a hassle and they're cheap enough.

 

Shaking brakes: new rotors
Smooth brakes: turn rotors
Rear brakes: dealer's choice

I'm becoming a fan of buying oe replacement powerstop kits on rockauto.com. Less than $100 per axle for decent parts is tough to beat.

 

One way to do it I guess… I just use old pads abs 2 flat heads to pry the caliper open. Works all the time

 

I was checking all the pistons to see if any were sticky.

 

And what, may I ask, have you been doing with those to make them sticky?

 

I’ll have to ask grandpa. When i got the truck the brakes were dragging. I wouldnt have minded getting some of those racecar red calipers, but when i checked em they were fine.

 

$45 Lisle 24300 Speedy Brake Pad Spreader

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24300-Speedy-Brake-Spreader/dp/B0009OR8V6

ABN Ratcheting Caliper Piston Tool – 4 in 1 Disc Brake Caliper Compression Tool Universal Brake Caliper Spreader Tool

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Ratcheting-Caliper-Piston-Tool/dp/B07PPXVL2X

 

Y'all and your fancy clamps. I just use the 480s.

 

All you need to work on Toyota brakes. Take the C clamp if you have to choose just one.

 

Who makes the yellows? I only have blue handled

 

Klein tools are typically yellow-handle IIRC. Not saying that's what it is, but most hinged Klein tools I own have yellow rubbers.

EDIT: Just realized he said they were 480s. Maybe they're Channellocks, then.

 

Yeah, they're kleins. It's just easier to go with channys size since most know what that means. Like if I said I need some nm-b cable very few would know wtf that was, but if I said I need romex....

 

Sooo you need some ramen?

 

Two C-clamps with the old brake pads (did mine 2-3 months ago). While I concur with the bleeding the brake idea at the same time, make sure you have a good way of catching that fluid. The kit I got works fine ... if you hold the hose on the nipple. Hard to do that while holding the caliper while compressing two C-clamps.

(Another set of hands would help immensely.)