Winding in piston on rear caliper

[tobz.]

I have a slightly sticking rear caliper on my golf which I may tackle tomorrow. When I've done this in the past I've not been able to push the piston back in and had real hassle re-assembling everything. Am I right in thinking the piston on rear caliper can't simply be pushed back into the caliper??? I remember hearing about a caliper winding tool available from halfords, does anybody know how this physically works???
Don't want to tackle the job again unless I have the rigght tools to hand.

Cheers
Toby

[MK4_20VT]

The caliper cannot be pushed back in, you do need to wind it in, with either the tool from Halfords or what I use a LARGE allen key 

[KKK]

Without the tool from Halfords, don't even attempt it.  Life is too short.

KKK

[tobz.]

Found a few of these wind-back tools at online toolshops but I need one tomorrow (driving 200miles to somerset soon so gotta free it up before then) does anybody know how much the one is from halfords???

Had a look at the online bentley manual and you can use an allen key for pre-88 calipers but for later ones you have to use the special tool.

[Judderi]

Use the tool. It basicly pushes and turns at the same time. Not sure how much the halfords one is. I bought it last time i did the rears, it does not fit quite right as i think its designed for every make but vw but still does the job in the end. Worth buying for any future use.

[The Hoax]

I just did this job the other day on my 1990 16 valve which does not have the allen key fitting type piston. I found it quite easy without any special tool, just a set of footprint grips. I did, however have to take the calipers right off the car as you have to press and turn at the same time and this was not possible with the calipers in place. It was a doddle to take the calipers off and a put them in my workmate bench and pressed the pistons in using a hammer shaft which I leaned on with my chest while turning the pistons with the grips.

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

One thing I would recommend when winding back the pistons is to spray a bit of WD40 / DUCK OIL around the rubber boot where it seats on the piston . this will stop it from getting twisted up and possibly splitting       

 P.S. WAS GOING TO MAKE  A COMMENT ABOUT" RUBBER THINGS SPLITTING WHEN BEING PUSHED IN " BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT " !  " DOH  " !!!!

[Veedubgt18v]

One thing I would recommend when winding back the pistons is to spray a bit of WD40 / DUCK OIL around the rubber boot where it seats on the piston . this will stop it from getting twisted up and possibly splitting

 P.S. WAS GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT" RUBBER THINGS SPLITTING WHEN BEING PUSHED IN " BUT THOUGHT BETTER OF IT " ! " DOH " !!!!

not what you want to happen.......

[animaniac]

on the vr6 it didnt have the allen key!! it had the daft 2 little bits!!

it says in the haynes use circlip pliers!! we tryed...... and failled!

so we got an old 15 socket i think it was some size... and we got the grinder on it and cut it away so it left 2 little spike things on either end...... and this fit just about in the daft piston things and wound it back in!!

you can buy a tool



but ours works on the same principle! just not as good.... but it did the job..

[Mart8V]

Circlip pliers are a waste of time on these calipers, in my experience.  Spent hours trying to do it then gave up and paid the local place £15.  I was shame faced, but at least it got done!   :embarassed: