Caliper rubbing wheel??

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Jul 11, 2013 | 12:29 AM

Bootlegger's Deluxe

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,690

Likes: 32

From: Delhi, Iowa

Caliper rubbing wheel??

So, for the last weeks worth of nights, i have been refurbishing the brake system on Clyde, my 1981 F150 2wd. It has recieved a new master cylinder, new front brake hoses, calipers, hardware kits, pads, a freshly turned set of rotors from my previous project, my old 87 F150 ( exact same fit) nad a bearing repack/ new seals. Before you ask, the rears are in great shape.

Bled it out last night, put the wheels on tonight, and went to back out ofthe garage. noticed a hard grind coming from the right front. Pulled it back in, jacked the corner up, and removed the wheel to find out the caliper was physically rubbing on the wheel!

Now, i will say right now, i am running a set of 1995 F150 "Alcola style" 15 inch wheels, but i was running these previous to the brake work. I inspected, and the caliper seems to be mounted properly, nothing seems to be out of order.

Has anyone else run into this sort of issue before? Would my best course of action be to lightly grind the offending area ofthe caliper, to provide a little clearance? i looked at the other side, there cannot be more than a 1/4" of clearance between the caliper and wheel.

Jul 11, 2013 | 06:30 AM

JayzDaddy

Elder User

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 978

Likes: 1

From: Covington VA

I assume your running single pistons still. If your basically giving it a shave it will be fine. If you need to reshape a corner or the spine of one side i would do so in small increments.

How do the calipers compare in appearance old to new?

Maybe have someone work the pedal while you watch the caliper for any rock or looseness. Could be a bolt hole isnt bored quite deep enough and gives a bit of wiggle room.

Jul 11, 2013 | 07:26 AM

Bootlegger's Deluxe

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,690

Likes: 32

From: Delhi, Iowa

yup, single piston, factory replacements. unfortunately, i turned in the cores the day i picked up the new ones, i gave them a comparison, and everything appeared fine, however, it's hard to be absolutely sure.

I'm goingto give them a shave tonight, see what happens.

Jul 11, 2013 | 10:25 PM

Bootlegger's Deluxe

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,690

Likes: 32

From: Delhi, Iowa

Well, isn't that LOVELY!! the caliper ended up being for a larger truck, my guess is like an F250. it's physically bigger, which is why it didnt clear inside the wheel.

Jul 12, 2013 | 09:04 AM

JayzDaddy

Elder User

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 978

Likes: 1

From: Covington VA

Thats one reason i started using autozones web site, finding my own parts, then going in and telling them part numbers instead of them looking them up.