(Part 3) Best brake tools according to redditors

It's called an x-type pad spreader:

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool-W80112-X-Type-Spreader/dp/B002KS4V5A

No need for speed bleeders, just a simple bleeder bottle and you're done.

For brake fluid, use this tool

For coolant and trans, you can drain it into a drain pan.

To refill the coolant, you can use this tool

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It's a super easy thing to do yourself at home really.

A vacuum Brake Bleeder


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OM751EC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_R8bLybT1T9MY2

Pull one wheel off at a time and bleed them individually.

Be careful not to let air back into the system.

$80 tool +$20 fluid

You might want one of these to make the brake pad job easier:
https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-21006-Brake-Spreader/dp/B00KCT1XMI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1469743249&sr=8-4&keywords=brake+caliper+spreader

But yeah, rotors especially are easy. When I replaced mine, some of them were sort of "fused" onto the hubs, but in my case, it was just a matter of screwing a bolt into a threaded hole in the old rotors (the hole is designed for popping them off).

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.

Rothenberger makes awesome HVAC tools. Totally blows Hilmor and Yellow Jacket out of the water as far as quality goes. A couple of the higher quality Rigid tools are actually Rothenberger rebranded. My favorite tool is their 45 degree flaring tool that that comes with a 3/8" square slot and drill attachment so you can use your drill motor to spin it and make the flare rather than having to spin it by hand. It saves so much time; especially for something like a branch box where you might be making 10+ flares at once. The machining on the flare block is top notch. On top of the motorizable feature it makes the best looking flares I've ever seen. Their aluminum deburring tool is top notch as well.

Flaring tool: https://www.amazon.com/Rothenberger-222402-Professional-Flaring-45-Degree/dp/B00BYFLSEM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=3GB8SGLIL0ADR&keywords=rothenberger+flaring+tool&qid=1554079422&s=gateway&sprefix=rothenberger+flar&sr=8-2

Deburring reamer tool: https://www.amazon.com/Rothenberger-Reamer-6-35-mm-1500000237/dp/B00AEB04B0/ref=mp_s_a_1_80?keywords=rothenberger&qid=1554079605&s=gateway&sr=8-80

Found what I was thinking of:

Motive Products 100 Brake System Power Bleeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CJ5DV2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QOBaBb9KRC55A

Motive Products 1100 Master Cylinder Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q6UHQK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HPBaBbS8DKJX4

Not that exact one maybe but yeah.

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

i would recommend checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid. use the photo below (link 1) to determine the condition of your fluid. the dip stick should be on the left side of the vehicle (near the fuse box in the engine bay), at the front of the transmission.

if it is dark/black, DO NOT flush it all out. extract 2 quarts out (2nd link to the pump that i use), then pump in 2 new quarts. drive for a bit (20 miles or so). see if it improves. if it does, in 30 days, do the same process again - only 1 quart though.

you'll repeat the process every 30 days until the fluid all looks clean/new.

http://transmissionrepairguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/transmission-fluid-color.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-2104-B-Reverse-Bleeder/dp/B00GRV800S/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473299322&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=reverse+fluid+pump+hand+phoenix

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

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.

I think you are talking about four wheel disc brakes, with the rear rotor having little brake shoes inside for the parking brake. This is not real common and can be a pain in the ass (I've dealt with this on a Ford Explorer).
For the drum brakes on the aztek you will want a drum brake tool (Like this) to take the springs on and off (get a new hardware kit and replace all the springs while you're at it)

Sweet man thanks! So a bottle top filter...does that make this https://www.amazon.com/Amzdeal-Brake-Bleeder-Vacuum-Tools/dp/B00T3W3FB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1478897678&sr=1-1&keywords=brake+bleeder+vacuum Unnecessary? Do you use that thing I sent you WITH the syringe filter method and not the bottletop, or is it a method unto itself?

I got a $8 one-man bleed kit and I do it myself. It's so easy, it's silly.

Okay so it's not a scissor jack, but it works wonders on 4 pot calipers

LINK

> pressure bleeder

https://smile.amazon.com/Mityvac-MV6840-Pressure-Bleed-System/dp/B005MVBFM4?sa-no-redirect=1

That MityVac is actually what prompted me to buy the HF one. I couldn't justify the MV at nearly $300 but #35 for the HF jobby was easy. :)

I know the MV is better too because I've used them, just can't justify the $$$ for my limited need.

Try to find some aftermarket pistons. Yes, the VFR400 is an uncommon bike, but the calipers will have been used on other bikes, and both pistons and seals come in the same category as brake pads, discs, chains and sprockets - it's perfectly ok to use aftermarket parts. I've had a quick scan of eBay and they seem to go for about £20 per piston with seals. Also only change the pistons which actually have problems.

There are tools available to grip the inside of a piston to help remove it. This is the one I use, but it's quite expensive. This would have less grip, but might do the job.

Also, these exist, which makes the process of bleeding brakes so much easier and faster.

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.