What’s Stopping You?

What’s in Your Tool Kit? - The 10 Essential Tools for Brake Maintenance
Having the right tools for the job is a must for every professional mechanic, and no more so in brake servicing. Here are ten must-haves to cope with most situations

• A Brake Caliper Kit: Laser Tools Brake Caliper Master Kit has 17 special adaptors to enable the retraction of brake pistons prior to replacing worn brake pads. It is suitable for both wind-back and push back pistons.

• Sockets, wrenches and spanners: A good selection of these will handle most situations. Laser Tools has a range of Pentagon socket and bits, hexagonal wrenches and brake service spanners to cope with most popular car makes.

• Pin Punches: Laser Tools distributes two caliper pin punch sets; One for removing 5.5 and 6mm brake retaining pins, the second specially shaped to assist the removal of brake pad retaining pins for Vauxhall and Opel cars.

• Rewind Tools: You will need tools to handle left and right hand threads. Laser Tools offer two Brake Caliper Piston Rewind Kits, one for each threading, to locate the brake position in rear brake discs.

• Brake Spring Tools: These allow easy alignment of the nail and washer slot allowing the removal and installation of brake shoe retaining washers. A second tool is designed for brake systems, mostly on imported cars.

• Handbrake Cable Pliers: An essential for quick and easy removal or installation of handbrake cables Laser Tools handbrake cable spring pliers are designed to compress the retaining spring.

• Brake Bleeding Equipment: The simple, uncomplicated, one handed way to bleed brakes is with the Gunson Vacuum Pump / Brake Bleeding Kit. The brakes don’t need to be applied and there is no loss of brake fluid. As a bonus, also checks for leaks in all vacuum driven devices.

• A Brake Fluid Tester: Test the mixture of brake fluid and water in the reservoir. Any more than 3% is a danger sign Gunson’s Brake Fluid Tester does this with a probe that immediately shows if there is a leakage in the cylinder.

• Infrared Thermometers: If rotor or drum temperatures differ significantly, caliper pistons may be sticking or dragging, causing uneven braking. Check for worn brake pads or failing that. sealed wheel bearings, by driving a short distance and measuring the bearing temperature. Temperatures significantly higher than ambient or varied temperatures between bearings indicates excessive wear

• Vacuum and Pressure Tester: An uncomplicated means of one-person brake bleeding without applying the brake pedal and without the loss of any brake fluid.

Where Can You Find Out More?
If you are a professional mechanic with a query about which brake servicing tool is the right one for a particular car model or year - or you have a specialist requirement - log on to (web site) and if you can’t find the information you need there you’re bound to find someone who can help you in he Tool Forum.