So....why won't the caliper fit over the rotor? Need Help ASAP

[Jason_25]

Just bought new rotors. Went to install and what do ya know? The caliper no longer slides over the rotor. What do I do?

 

[TarHeel085]

the pistons from the caliper are extended, you have to compress them with the brake pad & G-clamp once you compress them it will stay in and it slides right back over.

 

[Jason_25]

Where would I get this kind of clamp?

 

[TarHeel085]

uh home depot, its also a C-clamp either one.

 

[Jason_25]

ohh.....a c-clamp. Got plenty of those. Thanks.

 

[TarHeel085]

yup, lemme know how it goes.

 

[Jason_25]

Ok front right installed. I'm about to put the tire back on but I'm not sure how much drag is normal. I know for sure the brakes a re dragging slightly but is that normal?

 

[TarHeel085]

um i think mine did that but i can remember off the top of my head. maybe someone else can shed some light on this.

 

[jasonb]

what do you mean by drag?

 

[Robb]

yes Jason, all new pads will drag a little. They will seat in a couple of days. Just make sure you leave the rotors clean. Any grease or oil will show as noise and bad-braking.

 

[JoshC]

Since he used the c clamp on them and built pressure up in the system then once he starts the truck up won't it equal out and produce less drag? I'm just curious, it seems like it should work like that. But of course with new pads things are going to be a little tight.

Happy trails!!

 

[TarHeel085]

Originally posted by jasonb
what do you mean by drag?

like the rotor not turnin as freely as you might think, or noise like the pad is sittin on the rotor.

 

[TarHeel085]

Originally posted by Jot017
Since he used the c clamp on them and built pressure up in the system then once he starts the truck up won't it equal out and produce less drag? I'm just curious, it seems like it should work like that. But of course with new pads things are going to be a little tight.

Happy trails!!

you have to do it that way, thats what your Haynes manual tells ya to do. Jason my dad told me to put it in reverse and pump the brakes and they should adjust themselves accordingly.

 

[Robb]

By using the c-clamps on the pistons, no extra pressure is built up in the system. The brake system is "semi-open" by the reservoir acting as an expansion tank. The fluid thrown back to the master cylinder, by compressing the calipers, is "absorbed" in the reservoir.

 

[jasonb]

hmm.. i didn't really notice any drag when i did mine. i drove it right after to break them in around the neighborhood.. that was slow going so that may be why i didn't notice.

 

[JoshC]

Curtis, i know about the c-clamp trick, i've had to do this a bunch. morrisey0 answered my question exaclty, thanks!

Happy trails!!

 

[TarHeel085]

oh i wasnt tryin to make you feel dumb, i just tryin to spread the knowledge.

 

[JoshC]

I know, no problem man, this is the best way to spread knowledge!!

Happy trails!!

 

[Jason_25]

Ok got it all on there good. Now when I pump the brakes they get very hard on the pedal and everything is fine. However, when I start it up, after a few pumps the pedal goes to the floor. What's happening?

 

[Robb]

Jason, do you ever get the hard pedal back? If so, what is the sequence to make it ok, then go away?