Ok, I just went through my brakes on my 2002 F-350. Seemed to have a brake that sounded like grinding. Was hard to hear with the 7.3 and exhaust. So I started on the front to check. Found one rotor had some small cracks, pads still had some meat on them but the thin sheet metal piece that was riveted on fell off. I bought new rotors and new pads. When compressing the calipers back in, I was taking my time slowly compressing them back in. Everything seemed to be going good until I noticed fluid leaking out of the rubber piston area. Last year we had a bad flood at the house and the truck sat overnight in 12 to 14 inches of water. So I had actually chalked it up thinking maybe it was water. Wiped it off and went to the other side. And to my surprise the same thing. Compressed in and fluid. This looked even rusty looking fluid so I figured once again moisture. Nothing seemed to leak after completing. Went on to back brakes. Compressed both rear calipers with one once again having fluid leak out. The auto parts store was closed by this time so both calipers sat on top of the axle overnight until the next morning when I picked up the new rotors. When I went to install, one rotor was full of fluid.
Sorry for the long story. But my question would be, what the heck did I do wrong? I have done numerous brakes and have never had a caliper leak like that and all of a Sudden I have THREE. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

22 yo old truck that sat in water, probably rust if anything. If it's a northern truck that sees snow I'd say definitely rust. I clean the boots and pistons and open the bleeders before pushing pistons back. Remove all of the mounting hardware and clean and lube slideing hardware. If all of the parts are original I'd suggest new calipers or remans and new brake hoses.

 

I'm not for sure on if they are original. I do know the rear one I replaced had been replaced maybe 5 years ago. So when you compress your calipers you always allow them to bleed back out of the bleeder screw ?

 

Yes, I don't push dirty fluid backwards in the system into the ABS module or the MC. Brake fluid gets dirty and contaminated as it absorbs moisture. Good practice to flush out brake system's fluid.

 

I have never loosened the bleeders to compress the caliper back together. That would mean you need to bleed the brakes each time. Which I'm not saying is a bad thing to do, just a additional step that in most applications isn't needed to be done. Not sure where any dirty fluid would be in a system that is sealed and not leaking ? I sure wish it was just moisture or water but it looks to be brake fluid as much that is coming out of the front.
I'm very curious now what others do to compress there pistons.

 

Sounds like it's time for new calipers and hoses. Then a system flush. While the system is open you may want to replace the hard line that runs front to rear between the fuel tank and the frame rail. My e99 rotted that hard line twice, and my 01 rotted it once.

 

Yeah if you're seeing fluid coming out of the piston seals then it's time for new calipers. Sucks but it's the route I'd go. I've replaced them before just because the boot wouldn't fold back in properly and I didn't want it to pinch, usually it means there's a bit of fluid behind the boot of some kind, water wouldn't be good because rust = sticking and brake fluid wouldn't be good because leak.

I'd say do it right so you don't have issues later.

 

If you crack the bleeder and push the piston back you don't need to bleed the brakes, no air goes in only fluid comes out. Look inside your master cylinder and see how dirty your fluid looks compared to new. As I said brake fluid is anhydrous, it attracts moisture, and your brake system is metal. Metal and moisture makes corrosion INSIDE the brake system.

 

I have to agree. I have a 2002 F-250 CCLB 4WD 240,000 miles and my truck went through Superstorm Sandy. I had one caliper seize up as water got to the hub. I was parked on a sidewalk trying to outrun the water. Since then I have replaced all 4 calipers, rotors, hoses and lines. Good times....

 

Ok new front calipers purchased and getting installed. Question though. The spring clip that goes on the front of the pads, does this go behind the caliper or does it protrude thru the hole on the caliper? When I placed the caliper on, the upper stayed behind the caliper and the lower protruded thru. Not ever paid attention to them in the past.

 

I went ahead and placed them both behind the caliper. With the design of the spring clip it would make more sense that behind would not put pressure on the spring with bringing it into the hole. I had checked a few YouTube videos before posting and noticed alot of them they never put the springs back on. Go figure.....

 

Did you remove the caliper brackets? If you did be sure to use Loctite on the bolts and torque to spec which is around 165.