Calipers! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

snavy · 08-21-2002, 01:22

Hey all, i took off the calipers today to change by brake pads, but one problem! I took off old pads, to put in new, put everything in place, but when i went to put the caliper back on, i couldnt get it on! The space between the pads isnt wide enough for my to get it back over the disk! Ive seen brake places use a device to widen the gap, but i dont have one. So it there any other way of doing it?

thanks

NKRacing · 08-21-2002, 01:28

yes use a g clamp or something like that to push the piston back

svo347 · 08-21-2002, 01:31

or even still next time when you take your calipers off, use a screwdriver & pry the pads between the disc back allowing room for the newbies.. You might wanna check the brake fluid level first but as it will more than likely overflow

snavy · 08-21-2002, 01:36

i tried using the screwdriver between the pabs but it didnt seem to move them. I need about 5mm max to get the new pads on!

How would a G clamp work? Can you descibe the procdure properly?

svo347 · 08-21-2002, 01:39

take the pads out of the caliper, grab ya g-clamp & put one end inside the piston, with the other end on the outter body of the caliper, then tighten away until the piston is flush with the housing

svo347 · 08-21-2002, 01:45

sorry mate if you havent got a clamp nearby, put the caliper back on the car minus the pads you can either,
1 pry the piston back with a screwdriver, levering off the disc
2 if this is too difficult the loosen the bleed nipple on the caliper as you are prying the piston back

snavy · 08-21-2002, 01:55

ok ill try that thanks for your replys, wheres the bleed nipple?:) I dont know much about brakes.:(

svo347 · 08-21-2002, 02:00

lol should be on the uppermost side of the caliper, looks like, well a nipple I think its about a 10mm ring spannner size

snavy · 08-21-2002, 02:06

sorry dude only know the basics:) thanks anyway ill try again tomorrow:)

thanks

julian · 08-23-2002, 15:17

My Girlfriends 88 Falcon has rear calipers which have to be screwed (yes screwed) in with a special tool. I nearly went beserk last weekend trying to push them back in with a clamp which simply doesnt do anything.The guys here helped me and told me what to do.