Rear brake caliper pistons...

[Gerard]

I've got the pistons pushed back. I want the tool too. I've been told it
can be had from Pep Boys for $80 (can be rented too) and is called a
Lisle 25000. I didn't pay attention to the Ate rebuild instructions
which mention 2 tools, one for winding back the piston, the other for
removing the handbrake mechanism inside the caliper. I'll go read again
this evening and see what's listed there.

I managed to wind the pistons back with a G-clamp and pair of channel
lock pliers. The G-clamp wasn't really big so had to be hooked around
the brake hose section and off the centre of the piston. Tightened it up
and then turned the piston clockwise. Took a while 'cos it was awkward.
The next caliper was shoved into the vice and a socket was used to push
against the piston while turning with the channel locks. This worked
well, but the socket became to short so I used one of those spark plug
sockets. Just close the vice while turning and it worked well. They
still didn't go onto the car so I had to do some more turning, but I
found some plastic handle or nozzle thing for a spray gun and used that
instead.

The calipers are done now. Thanks for the advice, folks. :) I'm going to
try and find the tool for my toolbox for the next time I do the rear
brakes. Can't always remove the calipers from the car.

One more question which I'm not sure about 'cos I've never fitted new
pads and discs at the same time before; should the pad ride right up
against the disc all the time with the caliper pistons all the way in? I
guess they bed down on the first drive or something, but there's really
no gap (scraping when turning the disc). Always done pads on crap discs,
never new ones.

G.