Best brake repair adjusting tools according to redditors

Brake spring washer tool

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-47400-Brake-Spring-Washer/dp/B0009OMYBA

Upvotes to everyone who said doing it yourself is the way to go.

Changing brakes is the easiest thing I have learned, that I was always intimidated and thought I couldn't do on my own. It's literally a joke how much you can get charged for something so simple.

Suggestion: I bought a brake changing kit off Amazon for like $30 [Linky] (http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Wind-Back-Tool/dp/B000IB40L6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1411649588&sr=8-3&keywords=brake+changing+kit). And the pads off of Rockauto.com for really cheap. Then watch this video, or one like it - there's plenty, and double-check your work...

You'll have the depressors for future use, and as long as you don't have rotor issues, you can continue to change your brakes with relative ease. I also, surprisingly, feel more confident with doing my own brakes, rather than trusting a stranger. I KNOW it's done right.

That's more what we'd use to measure a rotor. For pads I use something like this to double check my techs, when things are slow the difference between 5mm and 2mm can be blurry.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DMJ2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_VsjMBbZY4PV9G
A penny is about 1.5 mm thick. Two pennies equals about 3mm.

You'll need a caliper tool to screw in the piston on the rear brakes. You can usually borrow them from Autozone for free. If you want to just buy it: https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20733A-Brake-Caliper-12-Piece/dp/B000IB40L6/ref=pd_bxgy_328_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000IB40L6&pd_rd_r=V24G16P2HPBHWZCTVZ4V&pd_rd_w=3m2Xk&pd_rd_wg=MmC8O&psc=1&refRID=V24G16P2HPBHWZCTVZ4V&dpID=51pVErlpuYL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

I'm 90% sure you'll also need this stupid expensive (for what it is) triple square socket: https://www.amazon.com/14mm-Triple-Square-Socket-Audi/dp/B008K7STNK/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_lp_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G3A2RDZ6C1YW94PKWB7H&dpID=41jZ1EY7r4L&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

Tool list? Just a normal impact socket set should do you fine.

You'll want a kit like this for the rear though.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000IB40L6/

I bought a set like this: https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20733A-Brake-Caliper-12-Piece/dp/B000IB40L6
It worked like a charm! :) I celebrated my new working brakes with a flat tire...

I got these and they were great! https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4799-Piston-Removal-Locking/dp/B009S4SZ3S/

If the calipers are old and a piston is really stuck in there you can boil the whole caliper half in a pot of water and that can help loosen up the crud keeping it in.

I'm in Canada, so you might find a cheaper version of this measuring tool, but this is a fairly easy way to check the depth of pads.

STEELMAN 97844 Brake Gauge https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003QHSHMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SvW4Cb3ZG4V9D

I'm not trying to defend a shop that's dishonest, but sometimes the inside and outside pads can wear a different rates.

You can get cheap piston wind in tools, used them several times already. Also you can get a good quality set if you're often doing brake jobs. We use this cheap set, not for heavy duty usage!

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-78618-Caliper-Tool/dp/B002RDGMNM/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396495415&sr=8-1&keywords=brake+piston+tool

Lots of other places have it http://www.amazon.com/Brake-Caliper-Piston-Compressor-Windback/dp/B00CWRF1S0/ref=pd_sbs_auto_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PAHZDW7M3CNXWJMMDT8

Those are known as Brake Spring Locking Pliers.

Here are some on Amazon - they're not especially cheap.

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EDIT - Actually that first link I posted might just be a tool for compressing springs, whereas the tool in the video is for spreading. I can't find an exact match, but here's something similar

There is another style, it may be listed as a wheel cylinder hone, it has 3 feet on it with the stones attached....

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-10000-Brake-Cylinder-Hone/dp/B0002SQUG8

That guy....

Brake Caliper hanger. We use it to hang parts while we are working under your vehicle. Technician probably left it by mistake.

Sample

ABN Brake Caliper Hanger Set of 2 - Steel, Durable, Reusable, Best for Brake, Bearing, Axle and Suspension Work https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JMF9GYE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nFuLDbHJJ85CF

Yeah we did have to do that, but it wasn't particularly hard, the tool looked like this and took maybe an extra 5 minutes per wheel

Not entirely true. They sell brake pad gauges that can measure with the caliper still on.

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-3962-Brake-Lining-Thickness/dp/B0015DMJ2S

Yep! I'm no pro but they're probably fine... you should be able to screw the pistons in all the way until they're flush with the surface of the caliper IIRC.

Edit: here's that tool: SUPERTOOLS 3/8" Disc Brake Piston Caliper Wind Back Cube Tool TP1134 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y384EES/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_I4LKAb4V48KTQ

Edit 2: /u/trentosaurus's idea is better. Love me some autozone loaner tools.

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Spring-Headlight-Adjuster-T-Handle/dp/B01BUI5UEQ/ref=sr_1_9_sspa?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1517460054&sr=1-9-spons&keywords=drum+spring+puller&psc=1


this

I bought the correct tool and it takes about 10 minutes a side.

https://www.amazon.com/21-Piece-Universal-Caliper-Piston-Compressor/dp/B01FW3U26G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1503980040&sr=8-4&keywords=ford+rear+brake+tool

Yes, you replace

Also for future, there's this tool:

https://www.amazon.com/ITEQ-8-Piece-Lining-Thickness-Construction/dp/B07C31KXRZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=24GXSNX5UN8VB&keywords=brake+pad+measuring+tool&qid=1551148604&s=gateway&sprefix=brake+pad+me%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Heres a tool most people use to tell if their brakes are bad.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003QHSHMW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525648546&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=brake+pad+gauge

You could try a brake cylinder hone. https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-10400-3-Stone-Disc-Brake/dp/B000P0VT3C/ref=pd_sim_263_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=31x6YXkk7OL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=CNFYAB3RJCH00NEPCR2G

The other idea would be a gun drill. Single cutter, a lot of oil under great pressure.

Same body style? Same trim? I had a GL. I find it hard to believe he'd need an actual vendor specific tool. I've never heard of such of thing & I know 2-3 mechanics that work on cars & see all kinds of stuff. THe only thing I can come across is this tool which isn't even a special VW tool, it's for many imports. It looks like it's for the caliper which isn't something you mess around with unless it fails or you're upgrading to a kit.

How old are the vehicles? What sorts of electrical issues has he had & at what miles/age? I'd love to hear more about them as I haven't had any. Unless you include traditional things like bulbs wearing out, mine has been fantastic. Unless there is something that fails in a spectacular fashion, or these people are putting aftermarket radios in (I've heard that alone causes major, major problems in other cars like the Cobalt we're making fun of in this thread).

At the time has/did he bother with Haynes/Chilton and or Bentley service manual(s)? I've heard people swear by those books for wiring diagrams. Short of that & using a VCDS Vag tool to scan the system, he shouldn't have had too many problems.

The only other thing that's a problem are stuff like, the windows falling in the doors, moisture due to the coil pack being cracked & the water pump needing to be replaced due to the impeller failing because it's plastic. But to be honest, once you start to get to know a mechanic or two, learn about the TSBs & are aware of the issues you start to expect, them, know about them & are able to confirm if the mechanic, shop you took it to, etc have taken care of you appropriately.

Sure. If you hate yourself.

For $20, buy this and never use one of those again.

You need the spring tool for those. It holds the ends in a little cup and you push them on with the spring and twist.

This guy https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-25056-Brake-Spring-Washer/dp/B000CMHKJU/ref=pd_sim_263_17?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000CMHKJU&pd_rd_r=MTVMFY8KHGZZQEM0CE1W&pd_rd_w=lIrGB&pd_rd_wg=ay3bm&psc=1&refRID=MTVMFY8KHGZZQEM0CE1W

Buy This

C-clamps and a wrench is cheaper, but by god, does this tool make it easy and clean to push the piston back in. It's worth the $50, one time cost, and you don't have to sit there trying to manhandle a caliper in mid-air while trying to torque on it with the other hand.

If you want to start working on your car when the time comes, you're gonna eventually need a floor jack and jack stands. Preferably 4 jack stands, but most common jobs that require raising it will only need 1 or 2 at any given time, so you can likely get by with 2, or even 1 as you're just starting out. The only time I use 4 jack stands is when I want to save money on new tires. I bring the tire place my 4 wheels and have them take the old tires off and put the new tires on, bring them home and put the wheels back on myself.

Regarding jacks and jack stands, learn where your cars jack points are-- I would recommend getting a Factory Service Manual for it if you don't have one. Should be able to find a PDF online somewhere. This FSM will also have useful repair info, maintenance info, fluid capacities/specs, and torque specs.

For tools, a set like this should get you through many of the more common repairs, such as replacing brake pads and rotors, replacing some suspension components, and many things under the hood (alternator replacements, belts, battery, spark plugs, etc etc). Having a few swivel adapters like these could be handy too, but not always necessary if you can get creative. I might also suggest having a longer socket extension than what comes in a set like what I linked above. Sometimes you just need a long boi.

A decent breaker bar will come in handy for making wheel lug nut removal easier. Doesn't have to be CRAZY long. A 2 footer is usually enough, but longer will require less effort. A torque wrench is also a plus for putting lug nuts back on. Different manufacturers want their wheel lug nuts to be tightened to specific torque ratings, and this will allow you to do that.

For brake jobs (pad and rotor replacement, typically), having a brake caliper piston compressor like this can make things easier. There are other styles for slightly different applications, but I've never NOT been able to make this style work among a wide array of vehicles. I've seen people use plain ol' C-clamps to compress the caliper pistons, and have also had to do so myself, but the right tool will make it a bit easier. I guess if you're a gorilla you might be able to just push them back in by hand too if they move freely enough.

The things you will probably want to rent at first are specialty tools. These are tools that perform very specific tasks, and that you probably won't need anywhere near as often as other, more common tools. Many of these specialty tools are listed on most automotive parts store sites. I have no preference of auto stores, but for the sake of an example: Here is o'reilly's list of rental tools.

Once you get to a new repair you've never done, i'd start with youtube as i'm sure others will suggest. If that's not enough, come here and ask.

EDIT: If you have money to spare, a decent air compressor and some air tools can go a long way. Not necessary by any means though. A 3/8 18v electric impact wrench is nice to have as well, but is also unnecessary.