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Front Brake Pads Gone Wrong!!!

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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:00 AM
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Front Brake Pads Gone Wrong!!!

Got new pads installed yesterday (Carquest Ceramic's) and I go out to take a test spin and the peddle goes almost to the floor before it grabs . Did not lube up the slide pins or tracks for the pads... could this be where my problem is. I used a C-clamp to pull the pistons back to get enough clearance for the pads, but I'm at a loss. Can't mess with it till 3pm but any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:04 AM
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Will, Did you pump the brakes before you wnet anywhere? you need to get the pads to touch the brakes before you build presure, or pedal height.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:04 AM
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Did you pump the brakes up before the test ride?
 

Last edited by greedy737; May 13, 2008 at 07:08 AM. Reason: Sorry, not fast enough
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:07 AM
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Pumped and pumpd and pumped and pumped. I could pump them up and they would hold pressure (what feels normal) but if i went 100 yards, the peddle would go back to the floor. Ugh i hate this. Ball joints went easy though
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:12 AM
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Please look for oil leaks, if none is found, and by the sounds of it, i would be suprised, then find some one to help bleed them with you.. Start at teh right rear ( passenger back ) then left rear, right front, left front. Even if you dont see bubles at first, bleed a couple time each wheel to be safe.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:17 AM
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Thanks, Pat. I got frustrated yesterday and parked the truck and jumped back in the Ranger (God help me how did i ever drive this thing). But i will rediagnose today after school and if no luck the local mechanic will love me (my dad's a sucker for "professional" mechanics) ughh i hate this stuff when it goes wrong.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:32 AM
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BELIEVE ME, BEEN THERE!! Kind of nice to have a place to share it with, seems the wife just dont get it..
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:35 AM
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Haha yea all i heard last night from my dad was "I told you to take it down to the mechanic. You're gonna mess it up one time and it ain't gonna get fixed..." Haha ahh not married but I can relate to what some of you all go through.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:31 AM
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Did you open the bleeder as you were using the c-clamp to force the pistons back? I ask becuase if you do not open the bleeder, it pushes air into the brake lines. Never force pistons back unless the bleeder is open while doing it. At the end of the job, just add new brake fluid to the master cylinder that was lost during brake job.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by STROKIN'IT7.3
Haha yea all i heard last night from my dad was "I told you to take it down to the mechanic. You're gonna mess it up one time and it ain't gonna get fixed..." .
I gotta say Will, no diss on your Dad, but I disagree with what he said 100%. I say always ALWAYS always see if you can figure it out yourself, before throwing money at it.

Trying is the only way to learn.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:44 AM
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Bleed out the brakes.
Better yet, flush it out. It takes two people, one at the wheel and the other inside the cab pumping the pedal.
Get a bottle and a two foot piece of fuel line that will fit snugly over the nipple of the bleeder. Put the wrench on the bleeder valve, then install the hose over that and insert the other end of the hose into the bottle. Open the bleeder valve 1/3 turn. Partner at this time begins to pump the brake pedal, with a 3 second pause at the top of the stoke to allow the master cylinder to refill. 10 stroke minimum per wheel. On the last stroke, partner holds the pedal all the way down, then you close the bleeder valve. Refill the reservoir between each wheel.
RR, LR, RF, LF wheel in that order. From the longest to the shortest.
That will purge all the air from the system and will also get nice new fresh fluid throughout the entire brake system, including the ABS unit.
Been using that technique for 25+ years now.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by pullinair
Did you open the bleeder as you were using the c-clamp to force the pistons back? I ask becuase if you do not open the bleeder, it pushes air into the brake lines. Never force pistons back unless the bleeder is open while doing it. At the end of the job, just add new brake fluid to the master cylinder that was lost during brake job.
How can pushing back the piston add air? I have never took a line off or opened a bleeder in 35 years of doing brakes!
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 09:01 AM
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I dont know how you can draw air either, but I always remove the cap on the oil resovoir.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 09:01 AM
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Make sure your slide pins are lubed and working. If they are frozen in place, the caliper will not seat the pads properly. I've learned the hard way by neglecting mine and it cost me dearly in time and $$$. Read: new calipers and backing plates. Just another place to look.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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edit re post
 
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