Yofond Brake Tools, Brake Caliper Tool, 4 in 1 Universal Disc Brake Caliper Compression Tool, Caliper Piston Compressor Tool with 2 Brake Caliper Hooks, Brake Caliper Press for Car Brake Repair Installation

Why I reached for this caliper press

Brake work has a way of reminding you how much time you waste with the wrong tool. After years of juggling C‑clamps, old pads, and a grab bag of adapters, I was ready for something that compresses pistons quickly and evenly—especially on multi‑piston front calipers. That’s what led me to the Yofond caliper press. It’s a ratcheting, 360°-handle compression tool with reversible action and a pair of spreading plates designed to push pistons back squarely. It also comes with two hooks for hanging calipers and hoses, which is a small touch that makes a big difference.

I used the tool across a mix of disc setups: single‑piston floating rears, twin‑piston fronts, and a set of four‑piston fixed calipers. Here’s how it fared.

Build and design

The press is built from carbon steel with welded spreading plates and a ratcheting mechanism in the handle. The handle has a cushioned, non‑slip grip that stays comfortable and doesn’t twist in your hand under load. The 360° rotating head is the star: you can approach the caliper from above, below, or the side and still get a natural ratcheting motion, which is a huge help inside tight wheel wells.

There’s a small reversing switch that toggles between expanding and contracting the plates. It clicks positively and, in practice, makes setting up and resetting the tool quick. The plates themselves are stout and broad enough to distribute load evenly across pistons or pads, which reduces the risk of cocking a piston or nicking a dust boot.

A note on size: the minimum closed spacing between the plates is compact enough for most single‑piston calipers, but some cramped rear calipers—especially those with narrow windows—were right on the edge. If your rear calipers have very small access, you may need to slip the plates in from the outside with an old pad as a spacer or switch to a dedicated low‑profile compressor.

In use: speed and control

On a four‑piston fixed front caliper, the Yofond press shines. With the pads left in, I dropped the plates between them, set the switch to expand, and ratcheted until the pads pressed evenly against all four pistons. From there, a few smooth strokes retracted the pistons in unison. It’s faster and more controlled than compressing pistons two at a time, and it avoids the common annoyance of one piston creeping back out while you push the opposite side.

On a single‑piston floating caliper, it’s just as straightforward. The ratchet requires only short wrist movements, so you don’t need much clearance to generate force. I prefer using the press against an old pad across the face of the piston. That spreads the load and helps keep the piston square. The reversible action is nice when you overshoot or want to re‑open slightly to adjust.

For twin‑piston floating calipers, the even pressure across the plates prevents one piston from walking out as you compress the other. That alone saves time and frustration.

The included hooks are handy. Hanging a caliper on a spring or frame rail keeps the hose unstrained and frees both hands to position the tool—one of those “why doesn’t every kit include these?” moments.

Compatibility and limitations

• Disc brakes only. This press is not for drum brakes.
• Screw‑in rear pistons: Many rear disc calipers—especially those integrated with a parking brake—require a wind‑back (rotation) to retract. This press is not a substitute in those cases. If your service manual calls for rotating the piston, use the proper wind‑back tool.
• Electronic parking brakes: Follow the service procedure to retract the EPB via scan tool or service mode before compressing.
• Tight rear calipers: The plate thickness and minimum spread can be tight in some compact rear calipers. If the plates won’t fit through the opening without forcing them or cocking them, do not muscle it. Either compress using an old pad as a bridge, approach from a different angle using the 360° handle, or switch tools.

Ergonomics and technique

The cushioned handle is genuinely comfortable—no hot spots or palm bite. The ratchet is geared appropriately; it doesn’t feel like you’re swinging forever to get meaningful movement, and it doesn’t stall under normal caliper loads.

A few technique notes that improved my results:

• Keep the plates parallel. Start with light contact, confirm the plates are centered, then ratchet. If one plate starts to skew, back off with the reverse switch and reposition. Any spreading tool can break welds or bend if it’s used while cocked.
• Control fluid movement. Crack the bleeder while compressing to push old fluid out rather than back through the ABS unit, then re‑torque the bleeder. Monitor the reservoir so you don’t overflow.
• Use an old pad as a face. On single‑piston calipers or small twins, sandwiching an old pad between piston and plate keeps the piston square and protects the boot.
• Rotate the head, not your wrist. The 360° handle lets you keep your forearm in a neutral position while the head does the orientation.

Performance and feel

What I notice most is the evenness of pressure. The tool doesn’t “snap” pistons back; it walks them back smoothly, which reduces the chance of seal flip and keeps dust boots happy. It also limits fatigue—ratcheting is simply less work than spinning a screw or tightening a clamp, especially when you’re doing multiple corners in a row.

The reversing switch is small but positive. Under load it’s easy to reach with a thumb or forefinger without needing to pull the tool out. The ratchet mechanism itself has a clean, consistent engagement and doesn’t skip, even when you’re near full retraction on stubborn pistons.

Durability and care

The carbon‑steel construction feels up to the task, and the ratchet has held up without play after several brake services. The plates are welded to the arms; like any welded spreader, they don’t appreciate side‑loading. If you keep the plates square to the caliper and avoid ratcheting while misaligned, the welds shouldn’t see abusive torsion. I give the screw and ratchet a light oil after use and wipe the plates clean to keep corrosion at bay. There’s no storage case, so I keep it in a drawer with a silicone sleeve over the plates to prevent dings.

Value

Compared with truck-brand caliper spreaders, this is much more affordable while delivering similar day‑to‑day performance for common disc setups. The 360° handle and included hooks make it more versatile than basic screw spreaders, and for multi‑piston work it’s a clear step up from clamps or pad‑pusher blocks. If your workload includes many screw‑in rears, you’ll still want a dedicated wind‑back kit, but as a primary compression tool for most disc brakes, the price-to-utility ratio is strong.

Who will appreciate it

• DIYers who want a single tool for most disc brake jobs without wrestling clamps.
• Techs who see frequent multi‑piston fronts and want faster, more uniform compression.
• Anyone working in tight wheel wells where the 360° handle is a real advantage.

Who should look elsewhere:

• Mechanics dealing primarily with screw‑in rear calipers or vehicles with tiny rear caliper windows—get a wind‑back tool and a low‑profile compressor.
• Anyone who needs a kit with multiple adapters and plate sizes for oddball calipers.

Tips to get the most from it

• Test‑fit the plates before you commit; if it’s too tight, reposition or use an old pad to bridge.
• Always vent the system properly and watch the reservoir level.
• Keep the spreading plates centered; avoid ratcheting under a skewed load.
• Use the included hooks; your hoses will thank you, and you’ll work faster.

Recommendation

I recommend the Yofond caliper press for anyone who wants a reliable, faster way to compress pistons on most disc brake systems. It’s comfortable, the 360° ratcheting head makes placement easy, and it applies smooth, even pressure that’s kinder to seals than improvised methods. Its limitations—tight rear calipers and screw‑in piston designs—are real but common to this style of tool. If you pair it with a wind‑back kit for those specific rears, this press becomes a go‑to for the rest of your brake work and pays for itself in saved time and fewer headaches.