Wanted to share this with all my kindred spirits here! I've used 3 different tools and about 5 different methods to remove stuck brake caliper pistons over the past 9 years rebuilding/ refurbishing over 140 different brake calipers. :undecided: :gentleman: What you don't want to do in removal is to use any pliers/ grips on the outside of the brake piston :rant-1: as you want that surface area as smooth and clean as possible. :love: You can also say good bye to the messiness a grease gun makes and good bye to using compressed air which may turn your piston into a slug projectile! :ninja: Bye bye to heat and penetrant oils. The plier type tool that you find at the auto parts chain are best used with automotive purposes and not that effective. The kit that I have pictured was about $60 and fits an assortment of brake pistons on motorcycles. The assorted sized pieces expand at the bottom which will be at the deepest point in the brake piston. To make it expand you tighten the 2 pieces with handles. Once tight, most brake pistons will come out with a 2 way back and forth twist. For frozen and seriously stuck brake pistons, you screw in the long slide handle to "pop" out the brake piston. I haven't found a brake piston that I can't remove with this kit. I don't have a link to where I purchased it but do remember it was from an ATV store. Also, with the blue/ gold spot Yamaha calipers; you need the correct tool to get the anodized caps off. I've pictured these also. You just use a wrench or socket then. Hope this may help someone! :rimshot:
That's pretty slick. I usually drop a socket into the back of the piston and use a ratchet with an extension on it to rotate the piston.
In my research for tools and methods to remove stuck pistons I came across a guy who was using that slide hammer kit. Seems like it should work pretty well.
Very cool Evans :patriot: :patriot:
I don't see grease as messy. You still have to clean all of the built-up brake fluid crud out. Grease just wipes out with rags and kerosene or diesel.
You can see the technique I was referring to here. It kinda blew my mind when I saw this for the first time.
https://youtu.be/VRNaa04bBiA?t=214
Also, this appears to be the same set.
https://www.amazon.com/Motorbike-Motorcycle-Caliper-Removal-Pistons/dp/B07G7R1JM1/ref=asc_df_B07G7R1JM1/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=317025832507&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4334558343838100981&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010330&hvtargid=pla-616729835699&psc=1
Only for smaller pistons, but looks like it would work.
^ I bought that one too but didn't like it either.
Yes, the link to Amazon is the set I have!
For the stuck pistons I just worked on, that blue MotionPro tool above would have done nothing. Also, I bought these pliers and they're only useful if the pistons are nearly free. https://www.chapmoto.com/bikemaster-brake-piston-puller.html If the piston is stuck the plier gripping surfaces will just scuff and wear smooth.
Even the sockets with a ratchet extension wedged into the pistons did nothing until I applied heat and cold. And even then it was a real struggle!
Evans I just noticed you are in Ga..I am not far away, over in COLUMBUS woohoo
Quote from: RustyRD on July 05, 2023, 10:58:09 PMEvans I just noticed you are in Ga..I am not far away, over in COLUMBUS woohoo
Very cool Rusty! About to send you a PM. :wave:
Nice one Evans.
Like the Dellboy YT link, my favorite YT channel has the same socket and extension trick.
Very cool Ken! It's all in the twist as you demonstrated. :thumbs: :righteous: