Description
Quickly and easily pushes brake caliper pistons back into their bore during service.
I've used tire levers and similar tools to retract pistons and for the most part, it works, but it could be easier. These simple matching wedges insert from opposite sides of the caliper, and when you push them together, they expand and push the pistons back into place. Quick and simple. Finger holes provided for removal in case the wedges stick to each other. Can also be used to retract pistons with the pads installed, just use one tool and insert it from the bottom. That might not work quite as well as using the pair with the pads removed, but has been surprisingly effective in my testing.
Available in standard 26mm, narrow 18mm and XXL 36mm wide versions.
26mm has been tested with four piston brakes successfully, and fits all top entry two piston brakes including Shimano calipers that take K or L pads, such as road calipers or new MTB calipers. This has been my personal go-to size, even for 4 piston brakes, as it is possible to retract all four pistons of most brakes using this size. Recently I've been reaching for a size down - 26mm for four piston brakes, and 18mm for two piston. I find this works just as well, and gives a little flexibility with angles. I don't personally use the biggest wedges on any caliper.
The narrower 18mm version is good for calipers that aren't top loading and have a smaller top opening, such as lower end Shimano calipers that take the B pads, or Magura's 4 piston calipers that have individual openings for each piston pair. Note - These were originally sized to 19mm but I discovered some Shimano calipers had a smaller opening than 19mm. I'm also aware of some Shimano calipers whose top window is only 16mm that these won't work with, but making these that thin would make them harder to use.
The widest 36mm fits big 4 piston calipers such as Shimano and SRAM Code. Please note that it won't fit some early SRAM Guide/G2 brakes due to the brake pad pocket being shrouded from the top. I've also received a report that some Code brakes have the same issue. In this case I strongly recommend sticking with the 26mm version as that's worked with all the standard four piston calipers I've tested with.
Comes in a pair, designed to be used as a pair. You can try using them solo but that probably won't work well since you'll be driving one side at an angle. Using these in a pair means you're driving the pistons square to the bore to ensure they don't go in crooked.