Hey Guys,

First time posting and I'm looking for a little help... I'm changing the rear brake pads on my 2005 Mazda3 and the caliper piston requires a special tool in order to retract back into the caliper (in order to make room for the new pads).

Question: does anyone know what size the caliper piston tool is? I found a couple different sizes on the shelf at AutoZone but no luck in getting them to fit.

Has anyone had any experience in replacing rear brakes on a 3?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

 

One other thing... attached is a pic of the tool my brother has which has 6 different caliper piston configurations (again, of which none work on the 3).

http://www.otctools.com/products/200...66AutoSpec.pdf

Maverik

 

you mean to squeeze the pads to take off the caliper??
just use a C-clamp.... works like a charm

 

I found the necessary tool available for rent at Checker Auto Parts (had to put a $100 refundable deposit down).

This tool has two pegs that slide into the holes in the caliper and simultaneously applies pressure while advancing the piston back into the caliper clockwise.

The first side (passenger) took me about 20 minutes after figuring out how to use the tool but the second side only took about 10 minutes. Pound for pound this was a pretty easy job.

Maverik

 

One other word of caution, when replacing the rear brake pads you CANNOT simply use a c-clamp to press the caliper back in (to make room for the new, larger, pads). The rear calipers screw back into place because of the parking brake... subsequently you will need the aforementioned specialty brake tool.

Maverik

 

well, ive always just used a C-clamp on all the vehicle's brakes ive work on....
actually, ive never come across a caliper that required one of those tools... until today

 

If the parking brake is integrated into the caliper you'll need that tool, usually the parking brake in drum in hat where a c-clamp works great.

I've only ever worked on one car with that system a mid-80's Olds!

 

I just completed a rear brake job today on my wife's car, a 2005 Mazda3s. Maverik is right that you need a tool to both turn the piston and apply inward pressure. The one he mentions is probably the best tool for the job, but it is a little pricey.

I used the cheap universal cube looking socket that you can get from most auto parts places. But, it wasn't a perfect fit. One of the sides has 4 pins, but two of which fit well enough in there to turn the piston. I wedged a piece of a 2x4 between the back of the caliper and the coil spring to hold it steady while I push on it. A good push and turn gets it started and goes in the rest of the way easy.

 

i just thought i'd add that you don't "need" the caliper tool. you can press and turn the piston back in by hand or with needlenose vicegrips. although you my need to bang it a bit with a rubber mallet first. i usually try to keep it compressed as much as possible when removing the caliper and pads from the rotor.