It's pretty easy to push in one pot on a caliper with OEM brakes. How the heck are you supposed to press in 6 pots to make room for fresh pads? There must be a tool or technique. I don't think my old C clamp method will work here.
(I wasn't about to put this question on the tires/brakes/suspension forum after "Why aren't my wheels shiny?" and so on, though it is kind of a noob question.)

 

It is pretty easy - just remove the old brake pad, and I just push mine with my fingers. It will take a little while, but they will push back.

 

If you want a tool for quick pad changes at the track, try this:

http://www.zeckhausen.com/Brembo/Consumables.htm#Tools

If you are DIY at home, try a C-clamp against the old pad and caliper. I use cardboard/fiberboard to protect the caliper paint.

 

Holy cow! That's one expensive tool!

 

For the 4-pot calipers, I use the backing plate of an used up brake pad to pry on two pistons at the same time. I don't know if a backing plate will span between 3 pistons though. I learned that technique from Jeff at Stoptech.

MoodDude's abilities appear to be superhuman. I would never challenge him to a thumbfight.

 

Actually - try it before you say I am superhuman, and I have to change my brake pads on all four rotors about once a month.

 

I remove the pad half way and use it to push the pistons back.
I have also had great success with the thumb technique, but it doesn't work when your brakes are smoking hot at the end of a day.

 

ditto. there are a couple of methods that have worked well for me. one is remove the old pads entirely, then turn them 90 degrees and stick the short side back into the caliper. now you've got a bigger lever than just sliding the pads out half way.

another option for really tough ones is to crack the bleeder valve while applying pressure to the pistons. of course, i highly recommend you bleed the brakes after this as you are likely to pull some air into the caliper.

ahm

 

Use the old pad as a spreader and I use a C-Clamp. Always considered buying the tool set but figured WTF,It's been working for 30+ years

 

Thanks for the input. It sounds like most people are using the "Warning- do not use the brake pads to apply pressure to the pistons" method. Hehe. I will have to keep a used-up set of backing plates in my toolbag. Thanks for the advice about using cardboard to keep from marring the paint, too.

 

Well --generally u already have a 'Used up " pad on ur caliper that I dont even bother to remove till I compress the pistons

 

Actually, I do believe you...just having some fun...