CHANGING BRAKE PADS

Scwhitten · Jun 8, 2026

So, in my 01 GT, when installing brake pads, you have to, apparently, turn the plunger thingy in order to get it around the new pads. One side, no problemo. The other side, no matter how much I turn it, it does not go in enough to get around the new pads...freaking frustrating!!!

Anybody know why this is happening (or not happening) and how can I get it in JUST A HAIR more? It seems like no matter how much I turn it, it just laughs at me.

Please help...

Thank you.....

FastDriver · Jun 8, 2026

You talking about pushing the pistons back into the caliper? If so, you need to use a c clamp with the old brake pad to press both pistons in at the same time.

Scwhitten · Jun 8, 2026

FastDriver said:
You talking about pushing the pistons back into the caliper? If so, you need to use a c clamp with the old brake pad to press both pistons in at the same time.

I've done that with other vehicles, but my 01 GT only has the one piston and it has to be turned. I actually tried using a C-clamp with no luck, it doesn't budge.

FastDriver · Tuesday at 4:57 AM

You trying to use a cube tool or a real piston turning tool like this?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900408

If it truly won't budge, it may be seized and need replacing, but you can try a fee things to persuade it. Make sure the parking brake is fully loose. Crack open the bleeder, as sometime pressure can cause the piston to fight you. Obviously, you'll need to ensure you bleed it to ensure there's no air, which you'd need to do replacing the caliper anyways. Work it back and forth and tap on ghe caliper body lightly with a hammer. Hopefully, you can clear it up. Otherwise, time to replace.

Bullitt347 · Tuesday at 6:15 AM

In the kit that FastDriver posted, you will notice two turning mechanisms. One is left hand thread, the other is right hand thread.
Are you sure that you are turning the piston in the right direction? It may be a left hand thread piston. I have run into that before.
One other thing to look at, sometimes the pads are labeled "inside" and "outside" and have to be installed in the correct location.
If they are not installed in the correct location, then the caliper will not go on. Take the pads off of both sides and inspect closely to insure that there are no differences in the pads, or if there are, try installing them in a different location.

squeak93 · Tuesday at 8:33 AM

Rear calipers screw in; fronts push. At the age of these, not uncommon to have a seized caliper. rebuild or replace with reman ones. Had to do that same on all 4 corners of my mach last year and it only has 104k. Just sits so they were not functioning and very sticky.

If you feel it went in correctly then measure the new brake pads to ensure they are same thickness side to side.

Mustang5L5 · Tuesday at 8:38 AM

squeak93 said:
Rear calipers screw in; fronts push. At the age of these, not uncommon to have a seized caliper.

This. If you are having trouble pushing one of the front pistons in, replace the caliper. The 99-04 calipers seize quite easily, especially on cars that sit and are overdue for a brake fluid flush

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 9:12 AM

FastDriver said:
You trying to use a cube tool or a real piston turning tool like this?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900408

If it truly won't budge, it may be seized and need replacing, but you can try a fee things to persuade it. Make sure the parking brake is fully loose. Crack open the bleeder, as sometime pressure can cause the piston to fight you. Obviously, you'll need to ensure you bleed it to ensure there's no air, which you'd need to do replacing the caliper anyways. Work it back and forth and tap on ghe caliper body lightly with a hammer. Hopefully, you can clear it up. Otherwise, time to replace.

I wish I had one of those tools. But the piston turns fine, just doesn't seem to move inward. I may replace the caliper anyway. Thank you for responding.

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 9:18 AM

Bullitt347 said:
In the kit that FastDriver posted, you will notice two turning mechanisms. One is left hand thread, the other is right hand thread.
Are you sure that you are turning the piston in the right direction? It may be a left hand thread piston. I have run into that before.
One other thing to look at, sometimes the pads are labeled "inside" and "outside" and have to be installed in the correct location.
If they are not installed in the correct location, then the caliper will not go on. Take the pads off of both sides and inspect closely to insure that there are no differences in the pads, or if there are, try installing them in a different location.

I never thought I might be turning it the wrong way since it is on the other side. I'm praying that's what it is...after my morning coffee. The pads did look identical, but that's the first thing I'll check if turning the other direction doesn't bring me happiness. Thank you for your response.

squeak93 · Tuesday at 10:18 AM

Scwhitten said:
I never thought I might be turning it the wrong way since it is on the other side. I'm praying that's what it is...after my morning coffee. The pads did look identical, but that's the first thing I'll check if turning the other direction doesn't bring me happiness. Thank you for your response.

Righty tighty, lefty loosy for both sides. turn right on both sides to screw in. If it's turning but not screwing in, then it needs replaced.

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 10:23 AM

squeak93 said:
Righty tighty, lefty loosy for both sides. turn right on both sides to screw in. If it's turning but not screwing in, then it needs replaced.

Yeah, I turn it ccw and it comes out. Turn it cw and it goes in to a certain point, but not enough to get around pads. Frustrating.

Mustang5L5 · Tuesday at 11:04 AM

Just so we are clear, we are talking about the rear calipers right?

You sometimes need to turn with force inwards. If you are using the cube tool, press hard inwards while you turn and it might go. If you are using needle-nose pliers, its going to be hard to do.

I use this tool and it makes quick work of it.

https://www.amazon.com/8MILELAKE-Brake-Caliper-Wind-Professional/dp/B0122Q83T4/ref=sr_1_14?adgrpid=1346902317386351&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SQWn12tjH4cnO7zEuLlpcPqfWiCdpgCHlmmTccDcMHifGzmQ9LMcmZmDQ0qp9DeDMbXFIT8wZRDs_210J-Dhzjovit8_9yn3q6DM8n5aa3BAovVqi8_c8wo-qEEZev_ggENxJa5hBibbpbq4YGP2LnLwRBO1PMki0zljZrdPSHJ-NeqrIhUmburIxLbzoqJCqVE7T2Zt-a3jJYvI2f2NRvr6Jp57wnSVaIYvKWLI5rM.QUcuUU4rGQk5lvdzGfQ8T3wxLhLFCEgbJGads8J5LJw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=84181806946487&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=104057&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84181759277112%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=24629_13769841&keywords=brake+caliper+piston+tool&mcid=dbab50cf724c340e8e1a0304f5cbd425&msclkid=7a4f441e808c1eabdd312e36b9cd0bed&qid=1781020998&sr=8-14

Of course it could be a bad caliper as well.

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 11:20 AM

Scwhitten said:
Yeah, I turn it ccw and it comes out. Turn it cw and it goes in to a certain point, but not enough to get around pads. Frustrating.

Guess I’m calling junkyards

Mustang5L5 said:
Just so we are clear, we are talking about the rear calipers right?

You sometimes need to turn with force inwards. If you are using the cube tool, press hard inwards while you turn and it might go. If you are using needle-nose pliers, its going to be hard to do.

I use this tool and it makes quick work of it.

https://www.amazon.com/8MILELAKE-Brake-Caliper-Wind-Professional/dp/B0122Q83T4/ref=sr_1_14?adgrpid=1346902317386351&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SQWn12tjH4cnO7zEuLlpcPqfWiCdpgCHlmmTccDcMHifGzmQ9LMcmZmDQ0qp9DeDMbXFIT8wZRDs_210J-Dhzjovit8_9yn3q6DM8n5aa3BAovVqi8_c8wo-qEEZev_ggENxJa5hBibbpbq4YGP2LnLwRBO1PMki0zljZrdPSHJ-NeqrIhUmburIxLbzoqJCqVE7T2Zt-a3jJYvI2f2NRvr6Jp57wnSVaIYvKWLI5rM.QUcuUU4rGQk5lvdzGfQ8T3wxLhLFCEgbJGads8J5LJw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=84181806946487&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=104057&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84181759277112%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=24629_13769841&keywords=brake+caliper+piston+tool&mcid=dbab50cf724c340e8e1a0304f5cbd425&msclkid=7a4f441e808c1eabdd312e36b9cd0bed&qid=1781020998&sr=8-14

Of course it could be a bad caliper as well.

Mustang5L5, I just ordered said tool at Amazon. Will get it tomorrow. It did make sense that you might have to push while turning and I don't have a tool that would do that...until tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Thank you for your advice, I will let everybody know what happens, because I know everybody is dying to find out... ;-)

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 11:25 AM

Scwhitten said:
Guess I’m calling junkyards

Mustang5L5, I just ordered said tool at Amazon. Will get it tomorrow. It did make sense that you might have to push while turning and I don't have a tool that would do that...until tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Thank you for your advice, I will let everybody know what happens, because I know everybody is dying to find out... ;-)

I am still trying to fix my fuel pump issue...turn key on and pump primes, but never stops. New pump. Car starts wonderful, but fuel pump never shuts off and it can be heard from several feet away. In all my 37,000 relocations around this great country, why can't I ever move near a guy, or gal, that wants to stop by and troubleshoot with me? I have beer! Soda! Water! Pizza! Sighhhhhh.....thanx in advance.

FastDriver · Tuesday at 11:44 AM

Scwhitten said:
I am still trying to fix my fuel pump issue...turn key on and pump primes, but never stops. New pump. Car starts wonderful, but fuel pump never shuts off and it can be heard from several feet away. In all my 37,000 relocations around this great country, why can't I ever move near a guy, or gal, that wants to stop by and troubleshoot with me? I have beer! Soda! Water! Pizza! Sighhhhhh.....thanx in advance.

Fuel pump relay or whatever the circuit is called in your car

If that doesn't work, then let's just skip to the end... it's a megasquirt setting.

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 12:02 PM

FastDriver said:
Fuel pump relay or whatever the circuit is called in your car

If that doesn't work, then let's just skip to the end... it's a megasquirt setting.

megasquirt setting?

FastDriver · Tuesday at 2:34 PM

Scwhitten said:
megasquirt setting?

Sorry. Inside joke

Scwhitten · Tuesday at 2:53 PM

FastDriver said:
Sorry. Inside joke

Gotchya....

Mustang5L5 · Tuesday at 5:38 PM

Directed at me.

It’s ok. I deserve it.

Scwhitten · Friday at 12:23 PM

Mustang5L5 said:
Just so we are clear, we are talking about the rear calipers right?

You sometimes need to turn with force inwards. If you are using the cube tool, press hard inwards while you turn and it might go. If you are using needle-nose pliers, its going to be hard to do.

I use this tool and it makes quick work of it.

https://www.amazon.com/8MILELAKE-Brake-Caliper-Wind-Professional/dp/B0122Q83T4/ref=sr_1_14?adgrpid=1346902317386351&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SQWn12tjH4cnO7zEuLlpcPqfWiCdpgCHlmmTccDcMHifGzmQ9LMcmZmDQ0qp9DeDMbXFIT8wZRDs_210J-Dhzjovit8_9yn3q6DM8n5aa3BAovVqi8_c8wo-qEEZev_ggENxJa5hBibbpbq4YGP2LnLwRBO1PMki0zljZrdPSHJ-NeqrIhUmburIxLbzoqJCqVE7T2Zt-a3jJYvI2f2NRvr6Jp57wnSVaIYvKWLI5rM.QUcuUU4rGQk5lvdzGfQ8T3wxLhLFCEgbJGads8J5LJw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=84181806946487&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=104057&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84181759277112%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=24629_13769841&keywords=brake+caliper+piston+tool&mcid=dbab50cf724c340e8e1a0304f5cbd425&msclkid=7a4f441e808c1eabdd312e36b9cd0bed&qid=1781020998&sr=8-14

Of course it could be a bad caliper as well.

Mustang5L5, I got the tool. Used the tool. Worked as advertised. Thank you very much for advice.

CHANGING BRAKE PADS

Scwhitten

Member

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet

Scwhitten

Member

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

squeak93

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Scwhitten

Member

Scwhitten

Member

squeak93

Scwhitten

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Scwhitten

Member

Scwhitten

Member

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet

Scwhitten

Member

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet

Scwhitten

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Scwhitten

Member

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