I have never worked on brakes before. I would like to know what tools are an absolute must have for both disc and drum brakes.

TIA, Kevin

Sometimes a pad expander is handy for discs. You stick a pad in, then put the separator in, and it makes it easier to push back the piston(s). Thats about all I can think of. You can get them at sears pretty cheap- but they make two depending on the size of the caliper/pad. Its not a 'must have' but it makes the job alot easier.
For drums a decent set of strong needle nose pliers and a good memory of which springs go where :D

I use a big C-clamp to push the piston back, using the old brake pad against the piston. Even a big screw driver or rod can be used.

You don't need many tools for disc brakes. Depending on the application, a hex socket is needed to remove the caliper pins. Drum brakes you need the tools for removing and installing the springs (I don't know the exact name for the tools).

You might want to get the drum brake spring retainer tool, which is the tool you'd use to push the springs down onto the shoe, then twist to unlock the retainer and remove the spring. A brake shoe adjuster bar is also a good tool to have to initially adjust your rear pads, but a skinny flat head screwdriver will work too, just a little more of a PITA to adjust through the rear of the backing plate.

The BFH is always useful. :) Have never really used any special tools for general brake overhaul, other than flare wrenches. Just found a nice pair of them at NAPA (their own brand), and they are really worth the $20 something each I paid for them. After struggling with all kinds of inferior pieces of crap, they really make a difference.


I have used a C-clamp now and then for calipers, but if the pistons are stuck that bad you don't need to use the calipers anyway, so I rarely do that. A brake hose clamp could come in handy now and then, and then there's the Mity Vac, spring tools etc you can get, but you can get by without them. Brakes usually don't really require many special tools unless you're fabricating your own lines.

You will need a 3/8 inch allen for the front caliper pins
A c-clamp vice grip works great to compress the piston
For drum brakes I use a proto brake tool I believe the part number is 216
It is a generic one tool does all sort of pliers

C clamp
Brake spoon
Length of coat hanger to release adjuster
pliers (Standard slip joint and water pump pliers)
brake spring pliers
3/8" hex socket
Mitivac for bleeding, or a buddy to pump the brakes
Safety glasses and a dust mask if you are going to be kicking up dust from old pads.

Drum Brake Adjusting Tool:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945496000

Disk Brake Pad Separator:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947365000

Shoe Spring Tool:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945493000

Brake Spring Washer Tool:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947761000

Brake Spring Pliers come in handy (and combine a few tools ... Shoe Spring Tool/Brake Spring Washer Tool/Pliers):
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00945494000

Mityvac Vacuum Pump is a nice to have (for more than just brakes):
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00947058000

Most of these will run $10 or less, exceptions being the Mityvac Vacuum Pump ($40 aprox.) and the Pliers ($20 or just under).

Most excellent reponses, thank you everybody.

line wrench

Tom

am i wrong here? i just use the standard tools i have used for years for everything else i have ever worked on. never saw any need for special brake tools. drum brakes... always removed the hold down springs with my fingers. a plain ol screw driver to snap the return springs back into place always works fine too... just a little bit of excitement when the spring goes snap into the shoes! disc brakes??? easy!

Tubing cutter
Flare tool
tubing bender.

am i wrong here? i just use the standard tools i have used for years for everything else i have ever worked on. never saw any need for special brake tools. drum brakes... always removed the hold down springs with my fingers. a plain ol screw driver to snap the return springs back into place always works fine too... just a little bit of excitement when the spring goes snap into the shoes! disc brakes??? easy!
That works fine with old worn out parts. With new brake springs and hardware (which every brake job should get) things get much more difficult to reassemble, the proper tools make it much easier.

am i wrong here? i just use the standard tools i have used for years for everything else i have ever worked on. never saw any need for special brake tools. drum brakes... always removed the hold down springs with my fingers. a plain ol screw driver to snap the return springs back into place always works fine too... just a little bit of excitement when the spring goes snap into the shoes! disc brakes??? easy!

That is what I have always done too. The flare wrenches are all the special tools I have ever used. But I checked the links to Sears above, and the tools are't all that expensive so I might get some of them one day.

BTW, here's a tip for the cheapskates (I'm sure I'm not the only one here): Instead of using a screwdriver, use a piece of electrical wire, thin nylon rope or whatever you have got laying around. Hook up one end of the spring to the shoe, tie the wire to the other end of the spring, then wrap it around your hand and pull. It usually works great, and is less frustrating than the screwdriver method. But of course, you'll miss the excitement when the spring snaps into the shoe... or flies off into oblivion, never to be found again :)

Usually you find the spring when you run it over with the lawn mower and it bounces off the side of your car or through a window. Don't ask.

That works fine with old worn out parts. With new brake springs and hardware (which every brake job should get) things get much more difficult to reassemble, the proper tools make it much easier.
fair enough. and as mentioned above, not a great expense either.

Usually you find the spring when you run it over with the lawn mower and it bounces off the side of your car or through a window. Don't ask.
what... were you watching me? :clonk: