[TeamTFR]

I'm trying to put new pads on the rear of my '97 (w/ rear disk) and the caliper won't compress enough to go back on. Is there something you're supposed to do for it to go back on? It seems like the piston is out too far...so even if it would go on, the brakes would always be on. Any help would be nice...I haven't had the car for 2 days already from not being able to figure this out >.<

 

[silverton]

you need push the piston of the caliper to the outside, use a C clamp if you have to.

 

[TeamTFR]

? It's all the way in and there's not enough room for the caliper to go back on...if it's out more then there'd be no way it'd go on. It looks like it should go in more...but it won't

 

[denisond3]

In that case i would suspect the piston cant go further in because there is some rust and muck behind it. I would take the piston out (using the brake pedal to move it out - minus the brake pads) and clean out the bore behind the piston.
Or could it be that your caliper is mounted on pins so it can slide sideways to take up for the outer pad wear - and the sliding mechanism is stiff. I had the problem on the front of my 92 LX.

 

[TeamTFR]

>.< just got a call from my gf's dad...he said the piston screws back into the caliper to allow room for the new pads (or something like that)...it'll be done in like 30 mins now lol

 

[madmatt2024]

^ I was kind of thinking that but I have never worked on Escort rear disks. My moms Taurus was like this though. You had to use wrench attachment that fit into the notches on the piston and crank it back in.

 

[TeamTFR]

My brother says that there's a special tool...but vice grips worked just as well

 

[white-lightning]

On the back there is a bolt that covers an adjustment screw for the piston, turning it retracts the piston.

 

[TeamTFR]

we had checked to see if there was one yesterday...didn't see anything tho. Now I just gotta replace both cv boots, a tie rod end, and do an alignment >.<

 

[white-lightning]

Did you take the p-brake off?

 

[TeamTFR]

yeah. had the cables for it off the calipers

 

[white-lightning]

That's wierd. They are same as what is on my car. There should be a adjustment screw on it covered by a bolt.

 

[PonyExpress]

the GT style brakes have a screw with a 4mm allen bolt inside.. turn it the right way and the piston retracts inside the caliper all by itself.

otherwise there is a special tool that rotates the piston as it pushes it in.

 

[mellowness65]

what he said^
its the same for all 91+ rear discs, theres a 4mm allen that is turned to retract the piston