While replacing all my Balljoints and tierod ends this weekend I noticed that my brake pads needed to be replaced. Everything came off pretty easy, I'm having a tough time putting everything back together. I'm installing new rotors and brake calipers. It feels like the brake calipers are hitting the section of metal that they bolt onto. Is this normal? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you compress the pistons back into the calipers? (sorry, not sure of your expertise, and this is a trick I have seen folks miss.)

For the most part, the caliper needs to drop straight into the brakets, if it is cocked a bit, it doesn't wanna go....... also, make sure the contact surfaces (between caliper, and bracket) are clean, and lubed properly. I haven't looked at my front brakes real closely.... (only enough to verify the front pads were pretty new...) but, I think they are held in with two pins, that slide thru bushings? You need to press the bushings back into the caliper as well. (should be able to do that with your fingers, if you can't, they need to be pulled out, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled.)

 

The calipers are brand-new so the Pistons or completely pushed in. I did not think about those pins that hold the little rubber bushings in place. Do those need to be completely in the center of the caliper?

 

I usually push them back flush with the inside of the 'ear' they sit in. (away from the rotor) When you tighten the bolts, they will move to their proper position.

 

I will give that a try. I also have to re-tap the screw holes on the bracket they stripped on me when taken them out. The dealership has always done the brakes on this truck. So the last guy that did it cross threaded those bolt holding on the caliper. Thanks for your help I will let you know how it turns out.

 

Good LUCK!!

 

Finally got everything back together. It was those hollow pins that the screws go through that hold the caliper to the mounting brackets. They were a half-inch shorter on the new calipers so I used the old ones instead.

I've never bleed the Blakes before on my truck, do I need to start the motor to do this. Or do I do it with the engine off?

 

You can do it with the engine off. (saves gas...) having a helper is the way to do it. Have you ever bled ANY brakes before??

 

I've bled breaks before. Many years ago, different car. On all four calipers I installed the new speed bleeders to make the job little easier. I inserted a clear plastic hose from the speed bleeder to a Mason jar that I filled halfway with brake fluid. That way I made sure that no air could get back in the system while bleeding the breaks.

Thanks for all your help.