CHANGING BRAKE PADS

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Scwhitten

Member
Jan 11, 2025
40
8
18
Ocala, FL
#1
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.....
 
#4
You trying to use a cube tool or a real piston turning tool like this?


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.
 
#5
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.
 
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#6
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.
 
#7
squeak93 said:
Rear calipers screw in; fronts push. At the age of these, not uncommon to have a seized caliper.
Click to expand...


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
 
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#8
FastDriver said:
You trying to use a cube tool or a real piston turning tool like this?


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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
#9
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
#10
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
#12
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.

Of course it could be a bad caliper as well.
 
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#13
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.
Click to expand...
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.

Of course it could be a bad caliper as well.
Click to expand...
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... ;-)
 
#14
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... ;-)
Click to expand...
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.
 
#15
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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#20
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.

Of course it could be a bad caliper as well.
Click to expand...
Mustang5L5, I got the tool. Used the tool. Worked as advertised. Thank you very much for advice.
 
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