If you're planning on replacing your own brake pads or rotors (or both) you may find that the rear calipers are big hassle to get compressed so you can get a new fresh brake pad in and fit over the rotor. Over time as the pads and rotors wear down which allows the the piston to slowly move inward to help keep the pedal feel the same even when the pads are getting thinner. In order to get the piston back into position it needs to be compressed AND rotated much like a giant screw. Without this tool or one like it, it is nearly impossible.

The Mini Cooper (Clubman, etc) has the parking brake system incorporated into the rear brake caliper, which is common with nearly all modern cars. This system allows you to hydraulically (via the brake pedal) apply the rear brakes while pulling the ebrake handle will mechanically move the piston. This combination requires the use of a special piston retracting tool when installing new rear brake pads because of the hybrid nature of the caliper. This brake caliper tool is specifically designed to lock into the Mini Cooper rear brake caliper piston and apply the required pressure as well as screw the piston back into the caliper housing in the same motion. There is really not another safe way to get the piston to back out and having this tool will save you hours or frustration if you end up needing to stop halfway through the the project to hunt down the correct tool (s) locally.

This kit allows you to rotate various pistons back into their caliper housing when changing brake pads. This kit works with MINI, Ford, GM, Volkswagen, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, BMW, Audi and other vehicles.