Lang Tools 279-5420 279 Brake Caliper Press

I'm a diesel mechanic and a tool addict, I'll admit. I was taught the C-clamp method by my Dad, and he learned that from his Dad, and so on. This tool is like a best friend that you can pay a debt for with pizza and beer, the best friend everyone needs to have. Let's be real here, every single time you need to do anything on your vehicle at home, a tool magically disappears or is tied up somewhere else, and this is where the Lang Brake Caliper Press comes in. This tool is incredibly easy to use. Once the caliper is off the vehicle, a nice smooth ratcheting motion separates the two pads, some force is applied to one side, and the other pad uses force to depress the caliper piston. A useful note to some folks, when I got my package from Amazon, one of the pads was screwed in very tightly. One pad has normal threads and I'm pretty confident the opposite pad has reverse threads. They should both spin freely! Part two of useful notes - My fiancee's 2018 Mazda 3 Sport has an electronic parking brake, or EPB. I did an online order through Napa for her pads and it didn't mention anything about an EPB. Unfortunately the online tool suggested the wrong pads, and the gentleman at the counter never verified the correct parts. Only when I had her vehicle torn apart did I realize the rear brake pads were the wrong ones. I had to run into town again, and luckily they had the correct pads in stock and did not give me any grief about refunding the wrong pads. Also, due to her vehicle having an EPB, you need to put it in Maintenance / Service mode. These videos can be found on YT. Once taking the rear caliper off, the caliper piston will NOT depress if the vehicle is not in said mode. The ONLY caveat about this tool, is it did not fit the rear calipers on her 2018 Mazda 3. I did have to very carefully use a C-clamp for her rear brakes, Lang also does make a small brake caliper press for such an occasion. *Your vehicle may not need to be put in maintenance mode, but I might suggest researching prior to taking the brakes apart* Overall this tool is a 10/10, Quality USA made with a smooth ratcheting motion. I included those random details to hopefully prevent another person's headache out there. This tool is wonderful for front brakes!

This tool is awesome! I have a harbor freight cheap one, handle broke off on last brake job and is only good on single piston calibers. I got this one....Man oh man this is a quality tool. Worked great on single and dual piston calibers. Used on a 2017 traverse which has single piston on back and dual pistons on front. It tackled it all no problems. Ratchet part is smooth and not cheap clankly. 5 stars! If I break this one, which i doubt it. Im buying another asap. 100x better than clamp method lol. Buy it.

This Made in the USA Lang Tools 279-5420 Brake caliper Press is the O.G. that is also rebadged and sold on tool trucks to pros as the 'Matco BCP41 4-in-1 Brake Caliper Spreader' and 'MAC Tools 2790470 4-In-1 Brake Pad Spreader', typically for almost twice what it's sold for here. There are nowadays a bunch of 'made in Wherever' knockoffs that look similar and are priced less, but don't expect them to last the long haul like this tool that was made for pros to use every day trying to beat flat rate. I've used my Matco for many years at work. It works great for most 2 and 4 piston calipers. Now I have the same thing with the Lang name on it at home. FYI Lang also makes a slightly smaller version #277 that is rebadged as a Matco BCP225.

Great quality tool that made it very simple to compress a dual piston caliper. This isn’t just for dual pistons though, it can also be used on single and quad. This is well worth the money, and I can tell it will serve me well for many years.

This functions very well, but it is a bit wide for rear brakes. On a 2018 4Runner

Purchased 5 years ago in 2021, still works like new in 2026. All my cars have brembo 4 piston calipers in the front and 2 piston calipers in the rear, this is a must have tool, no rust. Highly recommend.

The brake caliper press works great. Strong, smooth, and makes the job way easier compared to using clamps. Major time saver for brake jobs. Definitely worth having in the toolbox.

I purchased this Lang 279 from Amazon and also its smaller sibling, the Lang 277, from another supplier. Let me say right off these are a bit pricey, but they are also high quality tools that are 100% made in the U.S.A. I've been working on vehicles for over 40 years, and I am one that appreciates a quality made tool that will not let you down and these Lang tools are those, you definitely get what you pay for. I used the 279 right away on a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan (single piston caliper) that I was doing a brake job on, and it was a pleasure to use. Much better than using a C-clamp and an old pad! The 279 does not need any help from an old brake pad or block of wood, the ratchet mechanism is very smooth to use. I had an old 40 year old Lisle scissor style pad spreader, this one makes the Lisle look amateurish. The 279 is also perfect for dual piston and quad piston calipers too! I purchased the Lang 277 for smaller calipers found on small imports, but have not used it yet. Based on my experience with the 279, I expect the 277 will also be an excellent tool. Highly recommend this tool for professionals, or for the home mechanic that appreciates working with professional quality tools (like me!)

Exelent tool

Great tool,well made,works as intended,made in the USA. That's almost you need to know. You can buy much cheaper junk but this Lang tool is solidly built and has not failed me yet. If you need a brake spreader tool look no further. Yeah it cost alot more than the others but tools last forever, buy once cry once.

Expensive but better quality than the Chinese knock offs . Thicker steel plates, thicker plastic on the handle, nicer rivets and an easier ratchet mechanism that makes it easier to use. You need to apply a slight squeeze between the plates on these tools with your fingers as you crank the ratchet or it will just go back and forth without ratcheting until the plates start pushing in the caliper pistons and then everything work fine. The Lang only needs very slight pressure, but another brand I tried was more difficult to get started.

Good quality tool for the money, you get what you pay for. Worked great on my mid sized GM trucks with quad piston calipers but may be a little big for a smaller size vehicle. The plates are solid and the ratchet seems to be a good quality as well, overall I am happy with the product.

It works for dual piston and wide caliper. Some of the caliper will not fit.