I just took my car to the local shop, and they wanted $160 for labor on changing rear rotors/pads. Of course I didn't go through with it (it hurts me to pay someone $1 to work on my car). I just went and bought new brakes/rotors...but what's this about a key needing to be used to compress the pistons?? I bought a little square tool that is supposedly meant for this. This is my first time changing the rear brakes/rotors, so what's up with this piston-key & any other things I should know?? Thanks a lot guys.

 

You just need to be able to compress the pistons in order to get the calipers back on the rotors.

 

okay thanks....and tools do you need to get the caliper off? 10mm allan wrench someone told me? sorry i'm a n00b

 

You don't need any special tool to compress the 4th Gen rear calipers. You can use a large C-clamp to gently press the piston back into the caliper. Fronts, also.

If I recall correctly, you only need to remove one of the caliper bolts to allow it to be swung away from the rotor to allow the rotor to be removed/replaced.