Hey all,

So I just ordered brand new (not reman) calipers, and rotors/pads from rockauto. (Dynamic friction calipers, powerstop pads, Raybestos rotors). I noticed while installing the new calipers with the pads and rotors that they sort of wobble around a bit while fully bolted in.

I did notice the previous calipers did the same thing, but it’s back and forth, well forward to back. I know the caliper moving left to right relative to the vehicle is normal, but it moves forward to aft of the vehicle. I can literally pull the caliper basically halfway off the rotor it feels like, to a point where the pads are cocked on the rotor.

There was hardware included with the calipers and the new pads, sort of a spring looking thing but I have no idea where those go, and from what I’ve read so far I don’t think they’re used on this truck.

Is it possible this was just overlooked by me and the places I’ve read so far?

my current pads had a very strange wear pattern, almost like it was actually caused by them being diagonal on the rotor.

see below:

 

Sloppy guide pins, or sticking..... Not sure how the calipers mount on your truck though..... Can you post pics? Maybe a short video of the movement?

 

I’ll try to get one when I do the other side tomorrow. The caliper bolts directly to the knuckle and the pads slide on the knuckle. Never seen a system like that. Guide pins bolt directly into the knuckles.

 

I had a similar problem. Had to order new caliper bolts then heli-coil the hub assembly (knuckle) as the bolts where stripped out. This allowed the caliper to flop around hitting the wheel!!
I’m in the UK so parts are costly and harder to get. Not the idle repair but needs must.

 

From what it looks like, the caliper bolts don’t actually limit the caliper movement side to side relative to the vehicle (normal movement of the caliper when brakes pressed), they only stop it from moving forward and back, but there’s still some wiggle room.

When I have the bolts fully torqued down, I can see an air gap between the caliper and the bracket, but this is with brand new pads in the caliper. I can sort of compress the piston more and see those gaps get smaller, so it seems like it’s just a weird design from the calipers.

 

Here is a link to a video showing the movement. I did get both sides on and the lines bled and they do work (better than before, which is why I got new stuff lol).

 

First off, you need to go see your Doctor. I'm serious. See if he can schedule surgery to remove that lead from your right foot! That wear pattern is stopping hard from speed. I've had the same issue, that's why I mentioned the lead foot. Your calipers are designed to float. When you stop hard, they twist a bit. I've actually had them rubbing the inside of the wheel. The pads will tighten as soon as you step on the brake. You might grease the pins the calipers float on with a little synthetic caliper grease. Not much, just enough to slick them up.

 

Are there supposed to be bushings, or something on the caliper bolts? That seems like an awful lot of slop to me.....

 

I actually recall the rotors feeling warped basically the entire time I’ve owned the truck (2 years now), I just never actually looked at the pads. The rotors were warped which is kind of what I thought caused the pad wear, though I’ve never seen it that off.

On the new calipers, I did grease the entire “shoulder” of the guide pin, and confirmed they threaded all the way into the knuckle.

 

Yeah that’s what I thought, but comparing the old calipers to the new ones, they look the same.