Just changed my discs and pads, problem…
Discussion
As per title, today I changed my front and rear discs and pads.
Front was spookily similar to a Volvo 850.
Sliders here and there were very sticky so removed them, cleaned all of them, regreased them and happy sliders all round.
Front caliper pistons retracted as expected.
Rear brake pistons (twist and push pistons) passenger side, easy, driver's side, very stiff but freed it of and both retracted.
All caliper carriers wire brushed and greased were appropriate.
All done, wheels back on, fired up the car and reversed it, stalled. hmmmmm fired right up again and discovered it's like the handbrake is on. (Lever inside is down/off).
Ran out of time so tomorrow I'll jack the car up one side, ensure the handbrake is off and see what wheel is sticky. I'll check both sides.
When renewing discs and pads should I have adjusted the handbrake?
Weird as I've done many a brake job in the past and never had a binding brake left over. Certainly wasn't doing it before today's brake mission.
Any ideas or suggestions or what I should have done and didn't?
Front was spookily similar to a Volvo 850.
Sliders here and there were very sticky so removed them, cleaned all of them, regreased them and happy sliders all round.
Front caliper pistons retracted as expected.
Rear brake pistons (twist and push pistons) passenger side, easy, driver's side, very stiff but freed it of and both retracted.
All caliper carriers wire brushed and greased were appropriate.
All done, wheels back on, fired up the car and reversed it, stalled. hmmmmm fired right up again and discovered it's like the handbrake is on. (Lever inside is down/off).
Ran out of time so tomorrow I'll jack the car up one side, ensure the handbrake is off and see what wheel is sticky. I'll check both sides.
When renewing discs and pads should I have adjusted the handbrake?
Weird as I've done many a brake job in the past and never had a binding brake left over. Certainly wasn't doing it before today's brake mission.
Any ideas or suggestions or what I should have done and didn't?
Assuming the rear calipers are the type with the handbrake lever on them from the description you've given.
To adjust the rear calipers properly ideally you should loosen the adjustment on the handbrake cable if there is any right off. Retract the calipers fully this resets the handbrake mechanism internally. Wind the calipers out until there is a minimal gap between the piston and the new brakes pads. Pump the brake pedal several times and this will set the handbrake adjustment inside the calipers. Check the handbrake lever for travel and take up any remaining adjustment via the cable. If you're adjusting the cable and you see the levers on the calipers aren't fully back on their stoppers with the handbrake off then stop you're adjusting it too far.
All that being said the caliper you said was tight to retract could be knackered as it's a tell tale sign and might need replaced
To adjust the rear calipers properly ideally you should loosen the adjustment on the handbrake cable if there is any right off. Retract the calipers fully this resets the handbrake mechanism internally. Wind the calipers out until there is a minimal gap between the piston and the new brakes pads. Pump the brake pedal several times and this will set the handbrake adjustment inside the calipers. Check the handbrake lever for travel and take up any remaining adjustment via the cable. If you're adjusting the cable and you see the levers on the calipers aren't fully back on their stoppers with the handbrake off then stop you're adjusting it too far.
All that being said the caliper you said was tight to retract could be knackered as it's a tell tale sign and might need replaced
The one that was that's WAS tight, I freed it off and the piston was spinning as it should.
I'll have a good look tomorrow when I've checked what caliper is jamming. Almost 100% it's not a front one but who knows.
I'll do that handbrake reset thing you described and if the car needs a new caliper so be it.
In my world, it won't get a caliper, it'll get 2 new ones.
Experience says, if ones gone, the other isn't far behind.
I'll have a good look tomorrow when I've checked what caliper is jamming. Almost 100% it's not a front one but who knows.
I'll do that handbrake reset thing you described and if the car needs a new caliper so be it.
In my world, it won't get a caliper, it'll get 2 new ones.
Experience says, if ones gone, the other isn't far behind.
Harvy500 said:
And, does anyone know the original ford part number for both rear calipers?
Solid or vented discs?I can't see a Ford part number being any use, can't imagine any new stock still to be had only refurbished/reconditioned?
Or send yours away to somewhere like Biggred if you can do without the car for a few days?
https://www.biggred.co.uk/
I had an identical problem after my recent body off having replaced all disks, callipers and pads.On initial start up I managed to move the car a few yards but the smoking clutch prompted me to stop. I suspected the the rear brakes but it was infact the front brakes that were jammed solid.
The disks were not central in the calliper so binding on one side but removing the original spacer centralised them. Unknown to me there are two types of front disk that will fit, one requires the spacer the other does not. Philpot ( I believe) on Pistoheads pointed this out. .
The disks were not central in the calliper so binding on one side but removing the original spacer centralised them. Unknown to me there are two types of front disk that will fit, one requires the spacer the other does not. Philpot ( I believe) on Pistoheads pointed this out. .
I'll jack it up and see what wheel (wheels) are jammed.
I spoke to my best friend who knows just about everything re cars and he told me how to reset the rear brakes.
Interesting about the front brakes.
I'll check everything tomorrow and let you know.
Loubaruch said:
I had an identical problem after my recent body off having replaced all disks, callipers and pads.On initial start up I managed to move the car a few yards but the smoking clutch prompted me to stop. I suspected the the rear brakes but it was infact the front brakes that were jammed solid.
The disks were not central in the calliper so binding on one side but removing the original spacer centralised them. Unknown to me there are two types of front disk that will fit, one requires the spacer the other does not. Philpot ( I believe) on Pistoheads pointed this out. .
The disks were not central in the calliper so binding on one side but removing the original spacer centralised them. Unknown to me there are two types of front disk that will fit, one requires the spacer the other does not. Philpot ( I believe) on Pistoheads pointed this out. .
And the culprit was.....
The front brakes.
Both locked on as Loubaruch said, the spacers.
Removed the caliper carrier, took the spacers out.
Had to reuse them on the Bolt head side as without them the bolts bottomed out before they were tight and seated properly.
Never the less, all done and free to spin.
Huge thanks to Loubaruch for the top tip.
( Rears all ok and handbrake works well).
The front brakes.
Both locked on as Loubaruch said, the spacers.
Removed the caliper carrier, took the spacers out.
Had to reuse them on the Bolt head side as without them the bolts bottomed out before they were tight and seated properly.
Never the less, all done and free to spin.
Huge thanks to Loubaruch for the top tip.
( Rears all ok and handbrake works well).
Edited by Harvy500 on Monday 28th October 14:07
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