Rear calipers

Topic: Rear calipers (Read 3202 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear calipers

June 06, 2005, 04:28:46 PM

I took my bird in today for what I suspected was a bad caliper. I was right, but the tech said you nee to replace the calipers in pairs.

I’m completely ignorant on this issue, so is it best to change them both at the same time? As far as I know they are both original ’87 vintage.

For both calipers and new rotors (too thin to be turned) - $542

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #1 – June 06, 2005, 04:38:47 PM

OMG That is the biggest rip off ever! A loaded pari of calipers from autozone cost 90 bucks! And rotors are 35 bucks a piece! I would never pay that much man!

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #2 – June 06, 2005, 04:50:38 PM

That's what I was thinking.

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #3 – June 06, 2005, 05:08:33 PM

How hard is this to do? I've changed pads in the front hundreds of times, but I've never done the rears, and I've never changed the calipers with bleeding the brakes and all.

Can a relative newby pull this off?

I called the guy up and he has a $200 markup on his parts so he can "stay in business".

Uh, that's what the labor charges are for.

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #4 – June 06, 2005, 06:29:09 PM

I see no reason why rear calipers need to be replaced in pairs. So long as the piston moves correctly, the caliper is good. There is a special rear brake Ford piston tool needed to turn in the pistons. Yes, turn in...they need to be screwed in, not forced in like front calipers. If the piston is frozen after attempting to screw it in with the Ford piston tool, then it's shot and needs replaced. I tell you this because sometimes people try to use C-clamps on the rear calipers, declare them frozen, and buy new ones, when simply using the correct tool and procedure could have saved them from replacement.

Along those same lines, it is possible that the slider pins are frozen in the rear bracket. That is common with that rear disc setup. Water gets inside the rubber boots, pins rust to the bracket, and then your caliper doesn't work. Sometimes you can drill out the pins and reuse the bracket, other times you need to buy a new bracket.

Rear calipers are easy to change. The rear bracket is bolted over the rotor, then the pads simply sit on the bracket. Then you put the caliper over the pads and bolt the caliper down. Pretty easy to do, no major issues. Is this a turbo car with ABS, or did you put the TC rear in a non-turbo car? There are two very different brake bleeding procedures, that's why I'm asking.

I would recommend a second opinion, just to see if this guy is trying to blow smoke up your backside, or if he really does know what's going on.

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #5 – June 07, 2005, 10:32:09 AM

Thanks Eric. It’s the gold TC I bought a while back.

I think I’m going to just give it a shot myself. I need to learn how to do it and besides I don’t have that kind of disposable cash right now.

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #6 – June 07, 2005, 11:39:24 AM

$500 is an awful lot for just that. I have heard that the rear discs cannot be turned on the tc rear ends. Is this true?

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #7 – June 07, 2005, 12:08:36 PM

Quote

I have heard that the rear discs cannot be turned on the tc rear ends. Is this true?

They can be turned but since the rotors are composite, they need to be turned using a special (read: expensive) cutter. Most shops will not have the correct cutter...best bet is the Ford garage, if they will even do that. Or call around first. I am not sure if any new rotors for the TC are non-composite.

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #8 – June 07, 2005, 12:40:05 PM

Check this link:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1430183&parttype=1896

For the price ($14.67), they can't possibly be composite....

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #9 – June 07, 2005, 12:46:40 PM

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1430183&parttype=1704

Here's the calipers. $50.79 unloaded.
I don't really feel like doiong any math right now, but I'm going to guess that it's way less than $542 for everything

Re: Rear calipers

Reply #10 – June 07, 2005, 11:40:58 PM

The only reason that they tell you to replace them in pairs is because you are already tearing things down might as well just do it once. Just make sure that the other works and doesn't hang up. And I bet you could do it your self and save like $450. should take you more than 2-3hours if you work slow.