Whats the secret to depressing the rear caliper pistons?

[seasprite]

I still have my first c clamp ever bought and it was for this specific use lol

Busted my first C-clamp on my first encounter with the screw in calipers ? Never heard of such a thing. trying to remember how long ago maybe 20 years

Sponsored

 

[Langwilliams]

Busted my first C-clamp on my first encounter with the screw in calipers ? Never heard of such a thing. trying to remember how long ago maybe 20 years

I didn't realize there were screw in calipers when I got my first car with them an had to replace a rear caliper because I took the C clamp to it.

 

[Blmpkn]

how far did they go in ?

Oooh about as far as usual id say lol. That's something that hasn't changed... yet. I just pushed em in until the piston was flushed up with its boot and the caliper slid right over the new pads.

 

[seanellaz]

Attempted a padslap today, and could NOT for the life of me get the pistons to depress.

I have the stupid spinny piston depresser tool.... and really folded it up in a fit of "I'm a total gorilla, WTF" rage trying to spin the damn thing in lol.

What's the secret? Either I'm missing something extremely stupid because I was in a super rush and don't operate that well under time deadlines.. or the calipers just jacked.

My money is on missing something stupid. This is the first vehicle I've personally owned with these stupid spin-to-depress rear calipers.. forgive me. Or make fun of me... I deserve a bit of both no doubt.

Did you open the bleeder valve @ the caliper?

 

[Blmpkn]

Did you open the bleeder valve @ the caliper?

Cracking the bleeders was my last ditch effort considering I had no competent extra hands to help me bleed them after.. but yes, that did the trick. Luckily I had most of a small bottle of fluid on hand because quite a bit oozed out.

 

[RangerRob]

I am sure you all know this but in case it helps anyone .... you should loosen the master cylinder cap when pushing in the caliper pistons, it helps allow the fluid to rise a bit easier ...

Now for the original poster and replies ... former C clamp guy here and it ticks me off when you have to turn or have a special tool .... but that is the way now. Thanks to whomever sent the Amazon link, I might be ordering .....

 

[Big Blue]

Cracking the bleeders was my last ditch effort considering I had no competent extra hands to help me bleed them after.. but yes, that did the trick. Luckily I had most of a small bottle of fluid on hand because quite a bit oozed out.

Hopefully what you had was the correct spec brake fluid. Our trucks use a DOT 4 low viscosity (LV) high performance fluid that is not easy to find.

 

[Blmpkn]

Hopefully what you had was the correct spec brake fluid. Our trucks use a DOT 4 low viscosity (LV) high performance fluid that is not easy to find.

Ooooh...


What I had on hand was DOT 3/4.


Still stops fine so far lol.

 

[airline tech]

Here you go - From the Manual, I dealt with this type in my Automotive Days, even my 82 Camero had them, if the Ranger is like mine on the Camero, I cannot stress enough the importance of using the Parking Brake regularly to actuate the Piston Adjuster or it will seize up, this will create issues when attempting to spin the piston back in

And yes, removing the Reservoir Cap helps for returning the brake fluid, plus only do one side at a time. Do one side- get in the truck a depress brake pedal a few times to push fluid back into the piston, this way when you do the other side and spin piston into the bore, you are not overfilling the reservoir and dumping brake fluid down on the engine bay.

Read the following as it depicts - Piston Rotation and Final Placement when fully depressed into the bore

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Brake Caliper Piston Retractor

Removal

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation) .

1. NOTICE: Do not pry in the caliper sight hole to retract the pistons as this can damage the pistons and boots.
   NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
   Remove the bolts and position the brake caliper aside.
   Torque : 22 lb.ft (30 Nm)

[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

​

[/TD]
[/TR]​

1. Remove the brake pads.

[TR]
[TD]

Open In New TabZoom/Print[/TD]

[TD]

​

[/TD]
[/TR]​

1. NOTE: If installing new brake pads, make sure to install all new hardware supplied with the brake pad kit.
   Remove and discard the brake pad clips.

[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

​

[/TD]
[/TR]​

Installation

1. NOTICE: Make sure that the brake hose is not twisted when installing the brake caliper or damage to the brake flexible hose may occur.
   NOTE: If installing new brake pads, make sure to install all new hardware supplied with the brake pad kit.
   To install, reverse the removal procedure.

1. NOTICE: Do not use a C-clamp to compress the brake caliper piston or damage the parking brake mechanism may occur.
   NOTE: The arrow on the brake caliper housing indicates the direction the piston is rotated when retracting the piston into the brake caliper housing.
   Retract the brake caliper pistons into the brake caliper bore.
   Use the General Equipment: Brake Caliper Piston Retractor

[TR]
[TD]

Open In New TabZoom/Print[/TD]

[TD]

​

[/TD]
[/TR]​

1. NOTE: Make sure the notch on the piston is aligned with the pin on the inboard brake pad before installing the brake caliper. A moderate to heavy force toward the caliper piston must be applied. If sufficient force is not applied, the internal park brake mechanism clutch cone will not engage and the piston will not compress.
   Align the two piston grooves with the caliper reference.
   Use the General Equipment: Brake Caliper Piston Retractor

[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]

[TD]

​

[/TD]
[/TR]​

1. NOTICE: If the fluid is spilled on the paintwork, the affected area must be immediately washed down with cold water.
   Depress the brake pedal, check the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir and top up as necessary with brake fluid.
   Refer to: Specifications (206-00 Brake System - General Information) .

 

[airline tech]

Sorry - noted pics do not appear - when viewing from phone - computer pics show
Will post again as attachment- tomorrow.

Edit: As promised PDF Version of Rear Brake Pad - Replacement

 

[Msfitoy]

That's why I usually look for a video of someone else doing the job before I attempt it if I hadn't done it before. It reduces the trial an error process. I'm not saying the video shows someone that knows what their doing but it usually helps.

Has a how to change 5G Ranger brake pads video every been found?

Although I still have plenty of pads left, I think I should start preparing for this eventuality...

Sponsored