anyone do a brake pad change yet ? i need help

2003gt

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Apr 27, 2003

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Brandon, MS

Dec 10, 2006

#1

• Dec 10, 2006

• #1

i recently put Hawk track pads on my mustang when I took my car to VIR....did the whole pad change no problem....even found that stupid little tool that is used to put the rear pistons back in.....

anyway, i changed my pads back to the stock ones and did the same thing.....

but now my parking brake light is always on even when the levers down and my traction control (the light that means your loosing traction in the dash) is on as well....car doesn't make noises, drives fine, just can't figure it out.....

the onlllllllly thing that I think I did different wasi didn't screw the rear pistons ALLLLL the way back......i did just enough to get over the brake pads......

any suggestions or help would be great....

oh, and I reset the battery to see if it was just a weird glitch in sensor....that didn't work...

thanks

 

A&B 06GT

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Jul 11, 2006

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Dec 10, 2006

#2

• Dec 10, 2006

• #2

I would like to know as well as im going to change my brakes soon too.... also can you link to that tool you used?

 

2003gt

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Apr 27, 2003

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Brandon, MS

Dec 10, 2006

#3

• Dec 10, 2006

• #3

there was no finding it online, i went to a local autoparts store and its generic rear brake piston tool....is a round disk with two "nipples" on each end at north and west of the disk....it hooks on to the end of a socket extension and you use it to screw the piston back in, instead of compress like the fronts

 

A&B 06GT

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Jul 11, 2006

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Dec 13, 2006

#4

• Dec 13, 2006

• #4

ahh ok so its like the honda one i have now cool thanks

 

mpentico

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Dec 7, 2004

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Dec 13, 2006

#5

• Dec 13, 2006

• #5

I was also at VIR recently for the Holiday laps.

I switched to Hawk HPS pads and flushed the fluid. WOW!!!

Can only speculate what would be causing your problems.

The brake light could indicate a problem with the brake system, (fluid level/pressure) and not just the e-brake setting.

As for the traction control lamp... perhaps you misaligned the antilock brake sensor on the rear? I believe if the sensor fails entirely the antilock system lamp shows the failure, not the brake lamp.

If you have a flash tuner, check for any codes, and re-flash just as a precaution.
Maybe a computer setting is scrambled?

Post if you find the solution.

 

2003gt

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Apr 27, 2003

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Brandon, MS

Dec 13, 2006

#6

• Dec 13, 2006

• #6

mpentico said:

I was also at VIR recently for the Holiday laps.

I switched to Hawk HPS pads and flushed the fluid. WOW!!!

Can only speculate what would be causing your problems.

The brake light could indicate a problem with the brake system, (fluid level/pressure) and not just the e-brake setting.

As for the traction control lamp... perhaps you misaligned the antilock brake sensor on the rear? I believe if the sensor fails entirely the antilock system lamp shows the failure, not the brake lamp.

If you have a flash tuner, check for any codes, and re-flash just as a precaution.
Maybe a computer setting is scrambled?

Post if you find the solution.

Click to expand...

you were correct on fluid level and i don't know why the traction light came on..... but my front passenger piston in the caliper was cracked and was slowly leaking fluid......don't know how just yet, but I had to buy a whole new caliper and now the problem is fixed.....maybe too much pressure on pistons while changing pads and pushing them back in.....

 

stang8urimport

Autozone Junkie

Founding Member

Jun 21, 2002

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Daytona Beach, FL

Dec 13, 2006

#7

• Dec 13, 2006

• #7

Did you just use a big pair of plyers to push the pistons back? That would def crack the pistons. Always use the right tools

 

2003gt

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Apr 27, 2003

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Brandon, MS

Dec 13, 2006

#8

• Dec 13, 2006

• #8

no, a small c clamp because my normal was on loan......and it was a weird angle....didn't hear or see damage after pushing piston back in....just started seeing fluid a couple of days later.....

 

mpentico

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Dec 7, 2004

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Dec 14, 2006

#9

• Dec 14, 2006

• #9

2003gt said:

you were correct on fluid level and i don't know why the traction light came on..... but my front passenger piston in the caliper was cracked and was slowly leaking fluid......don't know how just yet, but I had to buy a whole new caliper and now the problem is fixed.....maybe too much pressure on pistons while changing pads and pushing them back in.....

Click to expand...

Well a cracked and leaking piston will definetly cause the brake lamp to light up when the fluid level drops enough. Gotta be real careful to keep the pistons aligned with the caliper when pressing them back. I have seen piston O-rings damaged this way, but not cracking. WOW they must be fragile. Good info for my next pad change.

Still confused by the traction lamp. A damaged rear wheel cylinder piston could cause the wheel to drag, and hence the traction control system would think the other wheel was spinning.... but a front piston damage????? Ah the joys of computer technology in cars.

Glad you got it fixed.... brakes are very important.