Help with rear brake pads-98 Cobra

[gcassidy]

I'm replacing the extremely worn rear pads, and I'm having trouble getting the piston to retract. I have the tool, and it installs and seats fine, but the piston just won't turn and retract. I tried with the bleeder open, no help. One book says to remove the e-brake cable first, but doesn't say why. My other book says I don't have to. Could that be keeping the piston from retracting?
:huh:

Any help appreciated. :allhail:

[Sonic Cobra]

Sorry Greg, I haven't done my rear pads yet, so I have no experience.According to my shop manual for the 03 its not necessary to disconnect the E-brake cable to change the pads.I've read many comments on the internet about what a hugh PITA removing the cable can be. Don't think thats your problem. Hope someone else can chime in with some goodl info. Good Luck

[bhartman]

I haven't done my rear pads yet

Paul,

Hurry up an change yours! I waiting for you to be the Guinea Pig, so you can tell me how to do it. ;)

[gcassidy]

Thanks guys (well, Paul-Bruce wasn't of any help :) ). I've had 2 people tell me that they've had to replace their calipers at this point. One guy had a frozen piston, and the other guy's would rotate but not retract. I guess I could disassemble it and see why it's frozen, but I'll decide once I'm at that point. Gotta check prices on new ones. Do they come chromed? :cool:

[ac427cobra]

I'm replacing the extremely worn rear pads, and I'm having trouble getting the piston to retract. I have the tool, and it installs and seats fine, but the piston just won't turn and retract. I tried with the bleeder open, no help. One book says to remove the e-brake cable first, but doesn't say why. My other book says I don't have to. Could that be keeping the piston from retracting?
:huh:

Any help appreciated. :allhail:

Greg:

As the piston is rotated, pressure must also be applied for it to retract. You should be able to get a free loaner tool at Auto-Zone (with a refundable deposit) and that should allow you to apply the proper pressure while rotating in a "CLOCKWISE" direction only. The piston will NOT rotate counterclockwise.

If you need any help just holler!

Good luck.

:tmb: :D :beer:

[Sharppony]

I had the same problem, so I had my buddy change them for me. He said it was a PITA to get them started, but once started they turned in fine. I know, that is of no help to you now. See you at Carlisle once I figure out how to drive with this new clutch! :wtf:

[gcassidy]

Greg:
As the piston is rotated, pressure must also be applied for it to retract. You should be able to get a free loaner tool at Auto-Zone (with a refundable deposit) and that should allow you to apply the proper pressure while rotating in a "CLOCKWISE" direction only. The piston will NOT rotate counterclockwise.

If you need any help just holler!

Good luck.



I had the same problem, so I had my buddy change them for me. He said it was a PITA to get them started, but once started they turned in fine. I know, that is of no help to you now. See you at Carlisle once I figure out how to drive with this new clutch! :wtf:
Thanks to both of you. You both hit it on the head. I own a good tool that I bought at Carlisle for $19 just for this day, but I was trying to rotate the screw while holding the caliper in one hand. It just wasn't working. I went to the other side, where the pads weren't worn quite as much (don't understand that) to try that side. I took the rotor off and re-mounted the caliper with one of the mounting bolts, and with a fair amount of effort, it finally started turning. I had the bleed valve open, so I could make sure it was retracting. I'm happy to report that they are as retracted as a swimmer's balls in the Polar Bear club. :wow: I've taken the rest of the day off to celebrate, and will remount the new rotors and pads tomorrow.
Thanks again for answers and support. :tmb:
Herb, it's on the left. :moon:

[Sonic Cobra]

Thats good news Greg! Now if I could just figure out where all the strange noises are coming from the KB brake ducts I installed yesterday and I'd be celebrating too.
Lots of rattles and the ABS sensor seems to be making a whirring noise as it rides over the wheel hub.

[bhartman]

Thats good news Greg! Now if I could just figure out where all the strange noises are coming from the KB brake ducts I installed yesterday and I'd be celebrating too.
Lots of rattles and the ABS sensor seems to be making a whirring noise as it rides over the wheel hub.

Paul,

The only problems I ran into was with the hose. It took me a while to get it mounted just right, so the wheels didn't rub.

Didn't have any problems with the ABS sensors. It is a tight fit, but nothing from the KB Kit should be touching it.

[gcassidy]

Mine aren't KB, but I have no noises. Can you tell if it's from the backing plates or the hoses? I had to zip tie one of my hoses, of course now it's in the way of changing the oil filter. I guess I wouldn't worry about a rattle or two. As for the whirring noise, is it making it just when you spin the wheel on a jack? Does it have any metal shavings on it? Mine pick up a lot.

[Sonic Cobra]

Thanks for the advice guys. Actually, I went over everything again today was able to make some changes. The plate was rubbing on the rotor just slightly.When I mounted it I put the top plate overlapping the bottom plate and bolted them on the spindle. this moved the top portion closer to the rotor. I remounted them with the top plate first and then the bottom plate overlapping and I now have a good 1/8" clearance between the rotor and the back plate. Only other noises are from the coil-overs , CC plates ,poly bushings and aluminum steering rack bushings.Just the usual stuff. So I'm ready for Watkins Glen next week.

[bhartman]

Paul,

Glad you were able to get things working. :tmb:

I fly home Wed. :bna

[gcassidy]

You guys have fun up there, and watch out for the Armco-it has long teeth.

[bhartman]

You guys have fun up there, and watch out for the Armco-it has long teeth.

Armco :confused:

[gcassidy]

The Glen is famous for it.

[ac427cobra]

Going up the esses will remind you of a bobsled run. Don't focus on the Armco. Try to concentrate on the track. By the second day I didn't even see the Armco! :D

[bhartman]

The Glen is famous for it.

Famous for what :confused:

[ac427cobra]

Famous for what :confused:

Blue Armco EVERYWHERE!! :wow:

And if you hit it and damage it, you have to pay for it! :frn:

[gcassidy]

Blue Armco EVERYWHERE!! :wow:

And if you hit it and damage it, you have to pay for it! :frn:
Can't I just replace it with some I found on I-81 on the way up? "Honest Officer, it was just there on the side of the road."

Bruce, Armco is the metal guardrail along highways. The Glen's is just higher. :wow:

That's also why I never raced bikes there. They won't allow them.

[bhartman]

OHHH...

Now I understand. Just like Shenandoah... NO RUN OFF ROOM! :frn:

[ac427cobra]

OHHH...

Now I understand. Just like Shenandoah... NO RUN OFF ROOM! :frn:

Oh there's run off room. Just not much of it?!?! :thud:

[bhartman]

I guess I'll find out Monday! :bna

[gcassidy]

Hope you guys had a good time. I ran into a friend of mine, Chad Dalton, at Carlisle with his 2000 Mustang GT set up for American Iron that was on display, and found out he and a friend were heading to the Glen for Mon and Tue also.

[bhartman]

Having returned from The Glen, I now know what ARMCO is. A driver of a 300ZX hit it at ~100 mph and had to pay for some of its replacement.

[bhartman]

Hope you guys had a good time. I ran into a friend of mine, Chad Dalton, at Carlisle with his 2000 Mustang GT set up for American Iron that was on display, and found out he and a friend were heading to the Glen for Mon and Tue also.

Greg,

Was that a white Mustang with "007" on it?

[ac427cobra]

Having returned from The Glen, I now know what ARMCO is. A driver of a 300ZX hit it at ~100 mph and had to pay for some of its replacement.

The Armco has big teeth and those that don't/won't respect it get bitten! :wow:

[gcassidy]

Greg,

Was that a white Mustang with "007" on it?
Yes. Here's a link to his pics from Mon and Tue.
http://www.2kgt.com/item.php?itemid=152

[bhartman]

Yes.

Yup! That's him! Saw him pass me lots of times! :allhail: