Pushing back the pistons on the Akebono calipers?

N

neva4self

Member
Car
2009 FX50
So I'm getting ready to attempt a complete brake pad and rotor change on my FX50 for the first time. I've replaced the pads, rotors, pistons and seals for the calipers on my 2008 GSX-R 1000 in the past so I'm not completely in the dark about how the brake components will look when I break everything down but this will be the first time I work car brakes. I've watched videos and read threads about changing brakes and it seems like I can't find a complete how to for the Akebono calipers. In all the videos I've seen and threads I've read, these are the two tools used to push back the front and rear pistons:

C-clamp for the front:


and this tool for the rear, that comes with adapters and is supposed to twist the piston as opposed to just pushing it back:


Neither one of these tools seems like they would for the Akebono calipers. I use this to push back my GSXR pistons but it seems too small to use on a caliper as big as the FX:


So what type of tool should I be using to push back the pistons? Also does the back piston twist out and back in like some of the videos I've seen, or can I just push that one back also. I was thinking a tool like this:
 
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I've always used wooden hand-screw clamps, they are surprisingly strong and won't ever scratch the calipers if it shifts. Not sure why they wouldn't work for larger pistons as well

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I used a c clamp like the 1st picture. Keep the old pad on there for more surface area and clamp away. Make sure you open the brake fluid reservoir cap.

Sent from my SGH-I337
 
C clamp is fine. Not going to lie, I've done it with a screwdriver wrapped in a rag when I was lazy.
 
Thanks fellas.

shadow191 said:
C clamp is fine. Not going to lie, I've done it with a screwdriver wrapped in a rag when I was lazy.
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Lol I've done the screw driver rag thing once or twice on my motorcycle. I might just use the tool in the third picture then. I use on my motorcycle calipers but I guess if I keep the old pads in while I use it, it should work.
 
I'm getting ready swap my front rotors and pads this weekend. Is it pretty straight forward? Any tips on getting the piston back in?
 
Ahhh.... I am not sure, but I used this tool called hands (wrapped in Mechanix gloves) to do my Akebonos on front... :tongue:
 
I ended up using the tool in the third picture. I took the pads out and cleaned the exposed surface of the pistons with a little Simple Green and a soft bristled tooth brush to get rid of the grime so I don't push any dirt back past the piston seals. Then I cleaned the old pads off so I don't reintroduce dirt to the pistons I just cleaned. Then I put the old pads back in place and held them by hand while I used the third tool to push back the pistons using the exposed surface of the old pads. The tools arms are just big enough to get the job done.
 
How much tq is needed to tighten the screws? And did you use grease between the piston and pads? Thanks!
 
So I replaced the rear brakes and braking feels a little soft. Is there a reason for that or it's all mental?
 
cycy89 said:
So I replaced the rear brakes and braking feels a little soft. Is there a reason for that or it's all mental?
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You probably need to bleed the brakes. You prob have air in your brake lines
 
Did you change calipers/lines? Or just pads? If you pulled the lines at all, it's air in the system.
 
cycy89 said:
How much tq is needed to tighten the screws? And did you use grease between the piston and pads? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I know it's not recommended but I didn't torque to specs. I've been doing motorcycle brakes for so long I've aquired a feel for tightening without over doing it. I did not put any grease in between the pistons and the pads. I did put a TINY amount of NAPA Silglyde in between the brake shims and the pads though. Very small amount I think 1 gram is what's recommended if any at all.
 
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