HELP!!!How Do I compress My Rear Caliper?

281reasons · Dec 19, 2006

I've tried everything...

and gotten nowhere...

I need this done or I won't be able to go to work tommorrow.

How the ______ do I Compress My rear caliper?

I've tried compressing it with a c- clamp, (Barely fit over it)
Tried Putting a small piece of wood in front of the piston and hitting it with a hammer... Neither has worked... Please.... Help!!!!

twogts4us · Dec 19, 2006

Go to AutoZone and rent (for free!) the proper tool.

Stan Weiss · Dec 19, 2006

As twogts4us said you need the proper tool. You need to screw the piston back into the caliper.

MT1083 · Dec 19, 2006

yep, you'll notice 2 "keys" in the piston. They need to be turned clockwise in order to get them to go back in.

Matt's 03 GT · Dec 19, 2006

I have always tried to "Spin" the caliper piston to get it to go completely in??

Nothing to loose by trying.

Matt

Gearbanger 101 · Dec 19, 2006

I've compressed the piston (on my Explorer), with the C-clamp, while turning it clockwise with a pipe wrench or a big screwdriver at the same time and it's worked out just fine for me. Not really sure why Ford designed them like that. My Cougar still uses the older style pistons and it works just fine.

Rynostangs69 · Dec 19, 2006

vise + channel locks and/or vise grips = tool to compress calipers.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 19, 2006

Calipers with intergrated e-brake systems require you to screw the rear piston in clockwise.

Autozone rents the tool, but they also sell the little cube for $5 that you put on the end of a rachet and use to screw it in. Everyone says the cube isn't great, but i use it for all my brake jobs and it works fine.

Before anyone says it, the Mustang does NOT have a rear drum e-brake inside the rotor. The caliper has an e-brake racheting mechanism inside. That's why you need to screew

the98stang · Dec 19, 2006

hope you didn't break the piston with that c-clamp...

blubullett · Dec 19, 2006

you can use needle nose. its easy

merc123 · Dec 19, 2006

I've used needle nose pliers.

joshheat25 · Dec 19, 2006

Yea... I just did my brakes the other day the tool works well. Bled them also very simple.

Mike97gt · Dec 21, 2006

I don't understand why some people don't buy a service manual.. These days you can even get a online service that will give you TSB's and access to shop manuals.

Well as some other have said there are TWo different Ford rear disc/ ebrake setups that are common..

One is the system used in the Mustang and taurus/sable/conti that uses the service brake as the e brake and requires the piston to be turned in clockwise to compress. this system can be indentified by the two notches on the piston face

NOTE.... freestyle/Five hundred uses a modified version of this system where one side compresses in counterclock wise

The other ford setup is the drum in hat e brake system found on Explorer/epedtiion/F- series/E-series/ Crown vic, Grand mar, town car

This system compresses just like a conventional brake because it is a normal brake, the serivce brake is not used as a E-brake, there is a drum surface ont he inside of the rotors and a small set of drum shoes inside.

Gearbanger 101 · Dec 21, 2006

svttech76 said:
Well as some other have said there are TWo different Ford rear disc/ ebrake setups that are common..

One is the system used in the Mustang and taurus/sable/conti that uses the service brake as the e brake and requires the piston to be turned in clockwise to compress. this system can be indentified by the two notches on the piston face

NOTE.... freestyle/Five hundred uses a modified version of this system where one side compresses in counterclock wise

The other ford setup is the drum in hat e brake system found on Explorer/epedtiion/F- series/E-series/ Crown vic, Grand mar, town car

This system compresses just like a conventional brake because it is a normal brake, the serivce brake is not used as a E-brake, there is a drum surface ont he inside of the rotors and a small set of drum shoes inside.

My Explorer Sport is set up the same as the Mustang/Taurus/Sable. Perhaps it's only the IRS equipped Explorers that still use the drum in hat system?

Mike97gt · Dec 21, 2006

Gearbanger 101 said:
My Explorer Sport is set up the same as the Mustang/Taurus/Sable. Perhaps it's only the IRS equipped Explorers that still use the drum in hat system?

All explorers use the drum in hat system... if you remove your rotor you will see a set of small drum shoes under the rotor.

Gearbanger 101 · Dec 22, 2006

Sorry....yes, you are correct. My Explorer does use the drum in hat set up (didn't realize that's what it was called). I misread your post and thought you'd stated it might have been the other one.

jivepepper · Dec 22, 2006

I take mine put in a vise and turn it with a cube I bought at the auto parts store.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 22, 2006

Gearbanger 101 said:
My Explorer Sport is set up the same as the Mustang/Taurus/Sable. Perhaps it's only the IRS equipped Explorers that still use the drum in hat system?

I helped a friend do a brake job on his '99 Explorer Sport (2-door) and it was the brake setup with the drum-brake inside the rotor and a conventional press-in caliper.

Gearbanger 101 · Dec 22, 2006

Mustang5L5 said:
I helped a friend do a brake job on his '99 Explorer Sport (2-door) and it was the brake setup with the drum-brake inside the rotor and a conventional press-in caliper.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showpost.php?p=6617496&postcount=16

Rickey_Bobby · Dec 22, 2006

Beer + Needle nose = Proper tool

Watch out when the pliers slip though... bloody knuckles OUCH!
Been there, done that.

HELP!!!How Do I compress My Rear Caliper?

281reasons

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