rob_engineer

I am not a huge fan of Harbor Freight tools. However, I can say that their brake caliper tool set is excellent. I had to buy it because my wife's MINI required the rear pistons to be turned as they compress. I've now used this brake compression tool on other vehicles. Yes c-clamps usually work, but this harbor freight tool set is a definite upgrade and it is not expensive.

rob_engineer

Sometimes if the rotors are quite worn there may be a ridge at the top of the face. The caliper piston may need to be pushed back a little so the caliper with the pads can be pulled over that ridge.

genesbro

Most pads have some things on them that can harm the piston of the caliper if it is forced off of the bracket without first compressing it some. After removing these I see that they are there but not sticking up the way most of them I have done are. But still why force the issue when all it takes is a little pressure with a screwdriver in the gap to make some clearance and it slips right off without any effort at all.

Now as for the abs question pressing the piston back in is not going to harm the abs system at all. Except for those that have to be twisted with a special tool while applying pressure to move the piston back in this is how all of them are done every day. You can buy a special tool to press the piston back in but I have had this same c-clamp from sears for about 27 years and it has done thousands of brake jobs so it works fine for me.

stevevb

Worth repeating....

Keeps crap out of the ABS/ traction systems valves.

Easier than removing fluid from the master. Gets rid of the old fluid that is closest to the heat source , rather than pushing it back up stream.

genesbro

This is a sealed system so there is no crap in the system unless you open the bleeder and let crap fall into the system. If you insist on opening the bleeder and letting the fluid drain out instead of pushing it back then you need to add some.