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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Brake pistons won't retract

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCStangGT
  • Start date Start date May 3, 2020
J

JCStangGT

New Member
Jul 3, 2019
2
0
1
Connecticut
May 3, 2020
#1
  • May 3, 2020
  • #1
Hello! I have done some searching on the forums but have been unable to find anything. I have an 03 GT. Initially, when I purchased the car, I had issues with the driver side caliper sticking. Sticking to the point where the pads would smoke and heat up the wheel. Naturally, I replaced the caliper. Soon after, the passenger side did the same thing. So I replaced that caliper. The passenger side is still sticking. If you put the car in the air and spin the wheel, it will move. If you step on the brake the wheel stops. If you release the brake, the wheel wont budge. I feel I may have air in the lines or a vacuum issue, as the piston on a brand new caliper will not retract. Any ideas? Thank you in advance.
 

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
1,810
914
143
May 3, 2020
#2
  • May 3, 2020
  • #2
How are the slider pins? Does the caliper move freely on the pins when pistons retracted?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,243
17,924
224
Massachusetts
May 4, 2020
#3
  • May 4, 2020
  • #3
99-04 GT calipers are notorious for having the pistons stick in the bores, especially if the car sits for some time or even over the winter. It's VERY common, and the solution is to replace the caliper. I wouldn't be surprised if a reman did it out of the box.

Consider upgrading tot he Cobra 13" setup. The pistons are metal and don't suffer the same issues. Plus 13" brakes
 

screamin gt

5 Year Member
Apr 9, 2007
393
6
28
central CT
Jun 30, 2020
#4
  • Jun 30, 2020
  • #4
Mustang5L5 said:
99-04 GT calipers are notorious for having the pistons stick in the bores, especially if the car sits for some time or even over the winter. It's VERY common, and the solution is to replace the caliper. I wouldn't be surprised if a reman did it out of the box.

Consider upgrading tot he Cobra 13" setup. The pistons are metal and don't suffer the same issues. Plus 13" brakes
Click to expand...
What else needs to change with the cobra brakes? Easy as just swapping calipers and rotors? Problems with wheel clearance? I have aftermarket wheels so theres no way to know if they will clear I guess until it's done.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,243
17,924
224
Massachusetts
Jun 30, 2020
#5
  • Jun 30, 2020
  • #5
I put them on my 03GT.

just need calipers and the rotors. Might need banjo bolts as well. Pretty sure 99-04 brake lines were the same for GT and cobra.

they clear all 17” and larger wheels.
 
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