Quick question. I am not a mechanic however I have a good hand at what I do. I have changed disc brakes many times. On our F150s I removed the caliper with no problems. Are both pins suppose to float. One does fine (top) but the other one is frozen. I am pretty sure that it should float as well. Correct me if I am wrong. If it is suppose to float any ideas as to how to free it up. I have banged, soaked with penetrating oil. Doesn't want to budge. I am hoping that after work and after sitting all day the penetrating oil might free it up.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

You may want to check the Brake Forum. F150s are famous for warped rotors which may explain your problem. I didn't even bother with mine and had Midas do the job; for less than $100 with a lifetime guarantee it wasn't worth the trouble.

Just my .02

 

Dave,

I'm not sure what you're referring to. You said you got the calipers off? Are you talking about the slide pins that you can't get out? I think you're referring to the anchor plate bolts for the calipers, they are probably frozen pretty good (mine were). Anyway, keep trying, they will come off. A half bottle of penetrating fluid and a lot of effort brke mine free.

On the other hand, if you're taling about the rotors, that may be a different story. I had to call my friend (a mechanic) who told me that 4X4 vehicles tend to be tough, especially once they're a few years old. Again, penetrating oil, (maybe even heat), and some good smacks with a plastic hammer between the studs should get them loose for you.

Good luck!

-Rob

 

I am talking about the slide pins that the caliper bolts to. The top pin slides nicely but the bottom pin is froze. I want to make sure that it should slide. I beleive your response implied that it should. SO I will keep plugging away with the mallet and the oil and hopefully it will loosen. I can't get the new pads in otherwise. Not enough room.

Dave

I am not replacing or resurfacing or removing the rotors, just the pads.

I am a believer that if you change them just after hearing the warning screech then you have not damaged the rotors to a point that they should need to be resurfaced.

 

Yeah, they shouldn't require much force to remove. Maybe the one that is stuck wasn't greased well enough. If you can get it out, greast it up!

Good luck.

 

I am trying to hammer it in, maybe I should try to hammer it out. I can't even turn it. Again the top one is fine.

As far as grease goes, any grease? or should it be a particular type.

Thanks again,

 

Don't feel too bad, I don't think I've ever done a brake job that went as smoothly as it should have. Something is alwasy frozen or broken, etc.

Don't use WD-40 or something, but basically a good multi-purpose automotive grease will work well. I used a mult-purpose grease from Slick50 that is recommended for all types of auto. work, including chasis parts and other areas that are exposed to the weather.

Wow, I can't believe that pin is so stuck. Was the rubber boot still in tact when you first saw it? My only guess is that it wore out and dirt/dust got into it and dried out the lubrication. Yeah, I would try hammering toward the truck to break it free. Try and get it from the top and bottom, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't pop out eventually. If that rubber boot is broken, you should probably replace it so this doesn't happen again. Best of luck with it!