Hey Chris,

Do the old pads get F'd up if you use them to pry the pistons back in? I plan to swap back and forth with some Carbotechs, but I don't want the OEM pads trashed in the process.

You can nick them.

yes, they can chip on the edges if you aren't careful.

So it can be done cleanly...and if it's not, no big deal for a few nicks in the street OEM pads?

If you do it carefully you shouldn't have any problems, I swapped mine back and forth a few times.

Cool.

I've seen c-clamps mentioned a number of times for pushing the pistons in, but I can't for the life of me envision how a c-clamp would fit in there. Is that for calipers that have to be removed to change the pads? If not, anyone used them?

Yes, you can use C-clamps on the open single piston calipers where the entire caliper is removed or pivoted off to change the brake pads. This would be the technique to use for the base model (non-sport) brakes.

I changed my front and rear pads today from the OEM pads to Hawk HPS pads. It was a piece of cake thanks to this thread. :tup: It took more time to jack up the car and remove the wheels than it did to change the pads.

Did you push the pistons with the old pads? That's the only part that has me balking. I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row for when I do it next month. Carbotech is making my pads as we speak :)!

How do you like the HPS compared to stock? I have a set sitting in my garage that I plan on installing after I get my moneys worth out of the stock pads.

Yes I used the old pads to push in the pistons. I also changed one pad at the time which I think also makes it easier.

I like the Hawk HPS pads. I've had them on my 350Z for a long time. They are good pads for street/autocross driving. Good bite, low dust. Generally I think you'll find that they are better than the OEM pads in almost every way.

My next project is to change my brake lines and fluid. I've got a set of GT Motoring Challenge stainless steel brake lines that I plan to install. I also plan to change my brake fluid to Motul RBF600 at the same time.

I know you guys mentioned one could use channel-locks to push the pistons in, but I can't find a set with rubber covers. I'm reluctant to use the 'old' pads cus I'll be swapping them back in again shortly.

What do you think about these? They're $6 each, very adjustable, and seem to be no larger than channel locks in terms of fitting within the caliper to compress the pistons. They even have nice little rubber covers to avoid marring the pistons and caliper. I bought two to compress the pistons at the same time.

Think they'll work?

Disc brakes are a piece of cake. Drum brakes suck a$$

those should work spear, where do you get them?