Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Front disc problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2019 | 07:16 PM
  #1  
F-250 restorer's Avatar
F-250 restorer
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
Front disc problems

Hey guys. I have a 75 f250 with dual piston calipers up front. I noticed I didn't have much lining on my pads so I changed them. (Disappointed to find that the Raybestos pads I ordered showed rivets holding pads to backing, but came with the lining material filling the voids once occupied by the rivets, as though lining is cast onto backing plate!) Anyway, I clamped the pistons into the calipers on the truck, bolted the pads in place, and away I went.

I did notice that the rotors had deep grooves, but they've been like that forever. There was not an issue with the old pads.

With the new pads the right side pads drag and make a crunching kind of sound when I brake. I'm thinking the rotors need to be turned or replaced, and the calipers could use a rebuild since it's been 8+ years since that was done. I've had the truck since ...96, and the rotors have never been turned.

I'm curious as to why it was fine with the thin pads, and now why only one side is a problem.
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2019 | 09:11 PM
  #2  
notyettoday's Avatar
notyettoday
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
It's possible the caliper pistons are rusted where they were outside of the quad seal, and when you pressed em back in the rust bound the pistons up in the quad seal where they can't retract. Also possible that the hose has failed internally, but not likely since it wasn't a problem prior to the pad replacement. I suspect the noise is related the the caliper sticking. First thing I like to check in a situation like that, I jack up the offending wheel, see how much resistance there is to turning the rotor, then crack the bleeder. If the resistance goes away, its the hose. If the resistance remains, its the caliper.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2019 | 12:09 PM
  #3  
F-250 restorer's Avatar
F-250 restorer
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
The hoses were changed 6 months back. Today I should be able to dig into the problem. I have a rebuild kit for the calipers. I guess it's time for me to rebuild them. It is nearly impossible to find replacements for the rubber rings that the mounting bolts ride in. Oh well ...
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2019 | 01:50 PM
  #4  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by F-250 restorer
1975 F250 The hoses were changed 6 months back. Today I should be able to dig into the problem. I have a rebuild kit for the calipers. I guess it's time for me to rebuild them.

It is nearly impossible to find replacements for the rubber rings that the mounting bolts ride in. Oh well ...
D2TZ-2B517-A .. Brake Caliper Locating Pin Bushing / Obsolete

1972 F250 2WD & F350 from serial number M80,001 // 1973/75 F250 2WD & F350.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 2 = 800-543-4959.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 31 = 800-476-9653.

See 2B517 in pic:
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2019 | 09:24 PM
  #5  
F-250 restorer's Avatar
F-250 restorer
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
Well I had another crack at the front right caliper--the one that was dragging. I removed the caliper and rebuilt it, cleaned off the pistons (dual) with 1000 grit sand paper. One piston was locked. I had to heat it, melt the seal, to remove it. I also had to remove and clean with emery cloth the slider pins/bolts. I also found that I had a spare set of front hoses, so I threw those on too.

I see that Rock Auto has the hardware kit with the rubber bushings that the slide/bolts/pins ride on. They also have the pistons, seals, pins, etc. They sell the rotors for half what the parts houses sell them for, and charge only $18 shipping. That's a savings of $50 each.

It is now all working peachy keene.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2019 | 11:25 PM
  #6  
John89's Avatar
John89
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 163
From: East Texas
Good job on getting it fixed.

Back in the day (88-90) I used to rebuild the rear cylinders on my 75. This time my son and I figured we would just get new (cylinders and calipers) and use the time saved on other repairs. Sometimes I think we undervalue our time on some repairs.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2019 | 02:43 PM
  #7  
F-250 restorer's Avatar
F-250 restorer
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
I can see that in the near future I'll need to get the hardware kit, as well as new pistons, pins/bolts. These only lasted 40+ years.

I was surprised to see that there are phenolic pistons available as replacements. That was surprising. Give me good solid stainless in this case!
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2019 | 03:45 AM
  #8  
1TonBasecamp's Avatar
1TonBasecamp
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Yep, I still prefer steel in this application. But the phenolic models were there primarily (I think?) to get rid of the chance of rusting and sticking in the bore. But then some early ones got hot and cocked off at an angle or warped, so not such a great idea.
But if they're still using them, I guess they've over come the usual early shortcomings. Hopefully...
But I still like steel.

Paul
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 20, 2019 | 12:55 PM
  #9  
F-250 restorer's Avatar
F-250 restorer
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
Originally Posted by John89
Good job on getting it fixed.

Back in the day (88-90) I used to rebuild the rear cylinders on my 75. This time my son and I figured we would just get new (cylinders and calipers) and use the time saved on other repairs. Sometimes I think we undervalue our time on some repairs.
I well remember using a hone on the wheel cylinder bores and rebuilding them. Eventually I too went to buying new or rebuild w.cylinders. I have now been using disc rears for about ten years, together with hydro boost. It is one of the best mods I have done. The brakes are fearless. I recently converted to parking brake calipers in the rear, and I love them. Good luck.

I used a phenolic carb spacer for a while. It cracked and broke. I would not want to risk that with caliper pistons. That is scary imo.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
camchero
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
6
Jul 28, 2014 11:54 PM
perryg114
Excursion - King of SUVs
31
Nov 9, 2010 06:40 PM
99f350sd
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Jun 16, 2008 05:35 PM
2000F2504X4
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
4
Jun 16, 2005 06:40 PM
DCC
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Feb 8, 2005 01:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:09 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE