disc brake experts please help

[89lxsport50]

I am installing new pads and rotors on my 89. I have one side installed now. When I spin the rotor, I can hear the pads scraping on it. Is this normal? If not, what do I do?

 

[RycheGT]

a little rub is normal.

 

[89lxsport50]

a little rub is normal.

thanks, I was hoping so. Now I cant get the other caliper off the rotor.

 

[Mustang5L5]

If you just replaced it?? Yeah it will scrape like hell.

I usually step on the brake hard a few times to seat the pad after replacing it (make sure other caliper is on the rotor or it will pop the piston out).

But a little scrape is normal.

 

[89lxsport50]

If you just replaced it?? Yeah it will scrape like hell.

I usually step on the brake hard a few times to seat the pad after replacing it (make sure other caliper is on the rotor or it will pop the piston out).

But a little scrape is normal.

Yeah, The other caliper is on alright, I cant get it off the rotor. Any tips?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Soak it with WD-40, put the correct wrench on the bolt and give it a solid whack with a hammer. That should break it loose.

If that doesn't work, heat the bolt up with a torch and try it again.

 

[89lxsport50]

I got the pins out. I can't get the caliper to slide off the rotor. How can I compress the pistion with the caliper on the rotor? The haynes manual says to use a C clamp on the back of the caliper and the front of the outer pad. Problem is my C clamp is not large enough to span the whole caliper. Is there another way?

 

[Shakerhood]

I got the pins out. I can't get the caliper to slide off the rotor. How can I compress the pistion with the caliper on the rotor? The haynes manual says to use a C clamp on the back of the caliper and the front of the outer pad. Problem is my C clamp is not large enough to span the whole caliper. Is there another way?

Open your bleeder screw to release some pressure on that side and then the caliper should slide off. If you do open the system up though you will have to bleed the brakes.

 

[2000xp8]

If you are replacing the pads and rotors, i WOULD NOT open the bleed screw.

The rotors are probably old, and the pads have worn the rotor down, but the outer lip is still there and the pads can't get off the rotor.

I'd use a hammer and a pry bar. Sounds like one of your first brake jobs, and IMO you don't want to want to have to mess with bleeding them.

BTW, i'd had the same problem before, on multiple vehicles. It's not a big deal.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Wiggle the caliper around hard. That should slowly compress the piston enough for it to slide off.

DO not touch the bleeder screw. You don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[89lxsport50]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I did the brakes once years ago so I'm a little rusty at it. the wife is out of town with the other car so I had to walk a few miles to get a larger C clamp. It's 98 degrees here so that was fun. Anyway I got it off, and now I will take it for a test ride. Thanks for the help.