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04-30-2003, 14:39

Just changed the brakes (Rotor and Pads) on the rear.

Manual recommended turning a hex bolt on the rear of the caliper so that the caliper could be retracted.

Did this and was able to retract the caliper with no problem.

Got the brakes on, cleaned it all off with brake cleaning fluid then drove it.

Seemed like there was just a little drag. Stopped and the new rotors were hot and discolored and the smell of burning cleaning fluid was present.

We took the tire off and rotating the wheel seemed to have drag. We adjusted the hex bolt and the drag seemed to go away.

Now however, and we hadn't checked this previously, I have no emergency braking.

What is the purpose of this hex bolt on the caliper? Why/how does adjusting it allow for the retraction of the piston?

Must it be readjusted to regain the emergency braking function?

When I removed the old pads the inside brake pad on the passenger rear only had worn all the way to the metal..the pads had been replaced last year.

I'm thinking that we did not adjust this hex bolt last year and that may have caused the problem...the piston appeared to function correctly....we may have had some sticking of the front pad also. I will watch closer this year.

Stacy94PGT · 04-30-2003, 20:24

What year of Probe do you have ? If you have a 2nd Gen, there's a nut you can adjust your emergency brake cable, you may need to tighten it up. The heck bolt back of the caliper is the adjustment gear, it allows your brakes not to drag on your rotors.

05-01-2003, 04:39

The Probe is of 1994 vintage.

Do you have any idea if I adjust that hex screw back too much if it will fall ot? Or is it impossible to fall out? Or doesn't it matter because it is not connected to the brake line and there is no way that fluid will get out or air and contamination will get in?

These are disc brakes on the rear.....has both front and rear disc brakes.

Thanks for your help.

Stacy94PGT · 05-01-2003, 07:59

When you put the pads back on, you need to turn the hex bolt until the pads just touch the rotor. Then you turn the hex screw counterclockwise in a 1/3 turn, after that screw the lock bolt back on. No, it shouldn't matter as far as brake fluid is concerned. Will it fall out ? Don't know, never really thought about that.