what are some methods some of you guys use to open the calipers???

 

Front or rear? Delco Moraine or PBR?

 

I use my brake tool to open up the calipers. It comes with all different discs depending on the type of caliper/number of pistons, and if they are the screw-in type pistons.

 

dont you just use compresed air and a rag? how i have always done it before, never done a 3 gen.

 

not sure what you mean by open calipers.

if you are referring to retracting the pistons in their bores, like changing to new pads, it depends on the type of caliper you have.

if you are doing this to most front calipers, I just use a C clamp, and slowly push the piston back into its bore, slowly though, so you don't shoot brake fluid out of the master cylinder (if the lid is open), plus you don't damage the seals, or jam the piston. By slow I don't mean like an hour, I just mean don't go nuts cranking away.

if its a rear caliper, you have to determine if its a screw adjust or not. If it requires the piston to be screwed back in, there is a small tool (looks like a cube) to engage the piston, and use a ratchet to screw it back into place. Otherwise, the C-clamp method works on the non-screw type.

 

Something I've taken to doing along with that, is connecting my brake bleed bottle, and cracking the bleeder valve open while I'm retracting the piston. This makes the piston much easier to move, and you don't risk pushing crappy contaminated fluid back up towards the master cylinder.

 

thats a good idea as well, just make sure you have enough fluid in the reservoir afterwards. Thats a slick way of slowly changing your brake fluid.