AV-SCANNER / Accessory guides / Tyres, brakes and cooling
This guide provides a complete, professional walkthrough for using a brake pad spreader and caliper tool to retract disc brake pistons without damaging seals, boots, or the caliper housing. It is written for working mechanics and serious DIYers who already understand basic brake service but want a disciplined, repeatable method for piston retraction across the many caliper designs found in modern vehicles. You will learn how to select the correct spreader or rewind tool for single, twin, and integrated parking-brake calipers, set it up safely, execute the retraction step by step, and interpret the results with worked examples drawn from real diagnostic jobs. By the end, you will be able to retract pistons confidently, recognize when a caliper is beyond a simple spreader's reach, and know exactly when to stop and call in a professional.
Guidance is general and covers many makes. Exact procedures and values vary by model, so confirm them in the factory service information for your vehicle.
Download all 12 sections as a branded PDF to use in the workshop.
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