Upon further review I think my earlier topic title was misleading so I'm redoing my post under a new title - hope this isn't a problem

While doing the front wheel bearings on my '77 F100 the other day I had a chance to get a good look at the front disk brake set up on my truck and I found it odd to say the least. Both of my previous Ford Trucks (a '64 and a '71) were front drums so this is the first time I've dealt with Ford Truck disk brakes of this vintage.

What I found most odd was the fact that the rotor appears about 1" too small in diameter. I say this because when looking at the brakes I can see the top 1/3 of the caliper piston protruding above the pads/rotor. I'm used to disk brakes where the rotor is of sufficently large diameter to almost touch the caliper and the caliper piston is centered on the brake pad.

The brakes actually work quite well (better after I cleaned and lubricated all the sliding surfaces) so I've got no complaints there, but I must admit this seems like a less than "optimal" design if indeed it's how the factory intended it to be.

I'm certain that the calipers are correctly attached with the sliders and tensioning strips properly in place, but remain baffled by the visible upper portion of the piston - just doesn't make any sense from a design standpoint to me. Can anyone shed some light on this? Is this how they all are? If not, what incorrect parts may have been used by the previous owner?

Thanks for any and all responses!

Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!

 

Okay Bruce we figured you out.
First I hope other don't get confused with this
Double posting a subject does that.
You might ask the Moderator to Delete your other post.

Now, The problem.

So, Do you have any photos,parts numbers,etc?

I've never seen the rotor with that much difference with the calipers.

Perhaps they are mis-matched.

Pictures would be priceless right now.
73-79 calipers normally cover the tops of rotors and can extend up that much.
I really need to see these.



Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg



Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"


78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

 

Here's what it should look like.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=2023&.jpg

Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg



Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"


78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

 

Dennis,

Thanks as always for your input! Per your suggestion I have sent a request to "Stockman" to remove my confusingly titled original post from the board.

From your response it sounds like something is indeed amiss with my front brakes. I have a digital camera but my wife has taken our baby to her parents this weekend and the camera went with her... I will try to get some pictures and post them if she gets back before dark tomorrow.

Until then: The illustration you posted is definitely the braking set up I have. Without being able to send a picture yet I'll try and better what's going on verbally.

If you were to look straight at the caliper/rotor on my truck with everything fully assembled you would be able to see the top 1/3 (approximately) of the caliper piston protruding above the O.D. of the rotor/pads. The caliper piston does not center on the brake pad. Both of these are unlike any disk brake I've ever seen - I'm used to the O.D. of the rotor almost touching the caliper and the piston(s) being centered on the pad.

What is really bizarre is that the pads match the rotor - they engage the slots on the caliper properly and come right to the edge of the rotor as I would expect them to. Furthermore the new wheel bearings/races I put in (Timken set 12 & 13 which list for a '77 2WD F100)fit the rotor and spindle perfectly.

My best guess is that (if indeed it turns out I have a problem)I have pads and rotors from another (earlier?) truck which match my spindle but not my caliper. Unfortunately I don't recall seeing any part numbers on the pads when I had them off so can't reference them that way.

Thanks again for your help Dennis! I will get pictures as soon as I'm able, but perhaps the above elaboration will be enough to move forward on.

Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!

 

>...Pictures would be priceless right now....

Dennis (and everyone),

I've uploaded 3 pictures of the LF brakes to my Gallery - the RF appears identical. Click on my Gallery to the left and they're under "'77 F100 - Brakes". Please take a look and tell me if it looks "wrong" to you.

It seems my memory exxagerated as it's actually only the top ~1/4 of the piston that shows and the rotor O.D. appears more like 1/2-3/4" too small. No wonder all the bass I remember catching weighed at least 30 lbs....

Thanks for all your help!!!

Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!

 

Too much time spent at Burger King,thinking about Whopppers?

It looks normal to me,although I am further away than you.

Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg



Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"


78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

 

Thanks Dennis!

I'll accept them as being normal then! I'm still trying to figure out the Whopper analogy though...


Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Feb-02 AT 06:22 PM (EST)]You were the one talking about a 30 lb bass.(a real whopper)

Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg



Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"


78 F-150 429CJ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

 

Now I get it..feeling a little slow on the uptake this evening..

Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!

 

Where ya from in SC?
I live on 15 South near Manning.
logisticslist61@(remove to email)yahoo.com

 

>Where ya from in SC?

I live in the Upstate - sent you an email with details.

Bruce in South Carolina
1977 F-100 Ranger XLT
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo - it's a Ford now!