rear brake piston issue on svt - The Ford Focus Forum

**DJF1GP** · 10-04-2009, 07:48 PM

hopefully one of you guys can help me out. replacing all brake pads, im on the last wheel now, left rear. im using the brake piston tool with the rachet to turn the piston in.

it worked fine on right rear, but now on the left it went in some and now it seems like it wont go any further (still turns just wont go in) anybody have any clue why?

i have the cap off the reservoir but is there too much pressure behind the piston or something? i dont want to open the bleeder valve if its not absolutely necessary. did pushing the right piston in when i changed that wheel put more pressure on the left. im about out of ideas and tired of turing this thing, its only like a 1/8" more it needs to go in. should i get the tool you can rent from the parts store and try that?

ideas/thoughts appreciated

**bmylez** · 10-04-2009, 10:16 PM

Interesting. Didn't have problems with my rear brakes at all...you sure you're turning it the right way? hah

I suppose you could try bleeding it a little but that really shouldn't have to be done. Check the tension on the brake cable...maybe it's binding? Sounds stupid but yeah, you really shouldn't have a problem.

**macdiesel** · 10-07-2009, 12:51 PM

I'd crack the bleeder and give it a go. Do you have the brake cable disconnected? The one thing that sucks about that little rachet square tool for the rears is that it's hard to get good leverage on it. Might want to rent the proper tool from da zone. Good luck dude.

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Sounds like you're using the little cube tool?

This is the good one,

It works very well.

**bmylez** · 10-07-2009, 06:06 PM

Steve, stop trying to pawn your wares off on others

**DJF1GP** · 10-07-2009, 06:27 PM

thanks guys i got it fixed, i unscrewed it all the way out then went back in and it went in that time,

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-07-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmylez

Steve, stop trying to pawn your wares off on others

Um, I don't sell that kit.

I just know which one to point people at, theres various suppliers for them and they vary a bit from one to another. The one I own is actually different than the one I posted the pic of.

**bmylez** · 10-07-2009, 08:34 PM

Well I hope you would know I was just givin you a hard time 'cause we all know you're not a parts swindler, you're just here to help

.

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmylez

Well I hope you would know I was just givin you a hard time 'cause we all know you're not a parts swindler, you're just here to help

.

I know, I was just giving you grief right back

Never take anything I type too seriously, I've got a sarcastic streak a mile wide.

**fastfred** · 10-08-2009, 01:03 PM

I had the same issue, right rear caliper retracted easily, left rear caliper would not fully retract. Spent an hour trying, then turned it out all the way then it retracted as easily as the right one did. After messing with it for 10 minutes I sould have checked this forum.

**emotionz3** · 10-17-2009, 09:56 AM

They confusingly retract in opposite rotating directions. But if I remember correctly, always rotating toward the front of the car?

I got a kit much like the one Steve posted for $35 at Harbor Freight tools. The cube tool is a f%@&!ng joke.

**240ZX34V8** · 10-17-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emotionz3

They confusingly retract in opposite rotating directions. But if I remember correctly, always rotating toward the front of the car?

I got a kit much like the one Steve posted for $35 at Harbor Freight tools. The cube tool is a f%@&!ng joke.

Can someone confirm the direction to retract the pistons? I FINALLY found an SVT this week and bought it. Today I was doing my usual OCD detail removing the wheels and cleaning the suspension and found the rear pads almost gone.

A little off topic, but does 23k seem to be the life of the rear pads? (Original pads, yes car only has 23k) The car was driven in the city/suburbs previously. I'm just trying to decide what pad to buy. If they wear fast, I won't put a lot of money in them.

**bmylez** · 10-18-2009, 12:42 AM

They should actually last longer than 23k. I have ~20k on some ceramix pads and they have tons of life left.

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-18-2009, 04:24 PM

The rears do seem to wear out faster than the fronts.

**bmylez** · 10-25-2009, 09:48 AM

They still last a while, though. Mine look like they have ~%60 left. I can put another 30k miles on them before I have to think about changing them. Doesn't sound that fast to me??

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 10-26-2009, 11:51 AM

All I know is that I did both ends at the same time and the rears had to be replaced last winter and I did the fronts this summer.

The rears were worn to the point of not being able to hold the car on a slight incline with the e-brake.

I'm not saying they wear excessively but they do wear faster than the fronts.

**toonces** · 11-01-2009, 01:11 AM

I have the same problem with my left rear caliper piston. It will go in part way, then stop. I retracted the piston fully and pulled it out. It is right hand thread. It is evident that the design of the piston will allow the piston to spin if the thread binds as it is spring loaded. Any solutions other than buying a new caliper?
Thanks

10-04-2009, 07:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
DJF1GP Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11	rear brake piston issue on svt hopefully one of you guys can help me out. replacing all brake pads, im on the last wheel now, left rear. im using the brake piston tool with the rachet to turn the piston in. it worked fine on right rear, but now on the left it went in some and now it seems like it wont go any further (still turns just wont go in) anybody have any clue why? i have the cap off the reservoir but is there too much pressure behind the piston or something? i dont want to open the bleeder valve if its not absolutely necessary. did pushing the right piston in when i changed that wheel put more pressure on the left. im about out of ideas and tired of turing this thing, its only like a 1/8" more it needs to go in. should i get the tool you can rent from the parts store and try that? ideas/thoughts appreciated

10-04-2009, 10:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
bmylez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lackland AFB, TX Posts: 1,922	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt Interesting. Didn't have problems with my rear brakes at all...you sure you're turning it the right way? hah I suppose you could try bleeding it a little but that really shouldn't have to be done. Check the tension on the brake cable...maybe it's binding? Sounds stupid but yeah, you really shouldn't have a problem. __________________ 2002 SVTF: custom cams, Thunderbolt HFC, HKS exhaust, etc. SBC stg 3 + Torsen LSD = :-D Aaron @ English Racing - "I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a Ford, but I was impressed by yours."

10-07-2009, 12:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
macdiesel TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chicago,il Posts: 259	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt I'd crack the bleeder and give it a go. Do you have the brake cable disconnected? The one thing that sucks about that little rachet square tool for the rears is that it's hard to get good leverage on it. Might want to rent the proper tool from da zone. Good luck dude. __________________ This vehicle is #2633 of a build of 4788 Born 05/29/2002

10-07-2009, 04:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
FORDSVTPARTS Premier Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 8,240	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt Sounds like you're using the little cube tool? This is the good one, It works very well. __________________ To order from me just call 1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve or use one of the methods below. Now accepting online orders here http://www.tousleyfordparts.com You can also find us here http://forums.focaljet.com/tousley-ford/ 2002 Silver SVT #2952 , custom CAI , Stage 2 throttle body, VF rear mount, FRPP 9mm wires, EAP/MACH HID's, Borla exhaust, K-W springs, FRPP UDP, Screamin Demon coil, Tuned by Mike at Unique Tuning in S.C.

10-07-2009, 06:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
bmylez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lackland AFB, TX Posts: 1,922	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt Steve, stop trying to pawn your wares off on others __________________ 2002 SVTF: custom cams, Thunderbolt HFC, HKS exhaust, etc. SBC stg 3 + Torsen LSD = :-D Aaron @ English Racing - "I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a Ford, but I was impressed by yours."

10-07-2009, 06:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
DJF1GP Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt thanks guys i got it fixed, i unscrewed it all the way out then went back in and it went in that time,

10-07-2009, 08:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
bmylez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lackland AFB, TX Posts: 1,922	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt Well I hope you would know I was just givin you a hard time 'cause we all know you're not a parts swindler, you're just here to help . __________________ 2002 SVTF: custom cams, Thunderbolt HFC, HKS exhaust, etc. SBC stg 3 + Torsen LSD = :-D Aaron @ English Racing - "I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a Ford, but I was impressed by yours."

10-08-2009, 01:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
fastfred Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt I had the same issue, right rear caliper retracted easily, left rear caliper would not fully retract. Spent an hour trying, then turned it out all the way then it retracted as easily as the right one did. After messing with it for 10 minutes I sould have checked this forum.

10-17-2009, 09:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
emotionz3 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 61	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt They confusingly retract in opposite rotating directions. But if I remember correctly, always rotating toward the front of the car? I got a kit much like the one Steve posted for $35 at Harbor Freight tools. The cube tool is a f%@&!ng joke. __________________ 03 SVTF 5DR Black - Daily 02 SVTF 3DR Black - AutoX / crashed @ Salt Creek :( 01 Mountaineer White - Work

10-18-2009, 12:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
bmylez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lackland AFB, TX Posts: 1,922	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt They should actually last longer than 23k. I have ~20k on some ceramix pads and they have tons of life left. __________________ 2002 SVTF: custom cams, Thunderbolt HFC, HKS exhaust, etc. SBC stg 3 + Torsen LSD = :-D Aaron @ English Racing - "I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a Ford, but I was impressed by yours."

10-18-2009, 04:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
FORDSVTPARTS Premier Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 8,240	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt The rears do seem to wear out faster than the fronts. __________________ To order from me just call 1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve or use one of the methods below. Now accepting online orders here http://www.tousleyfordparts.com You can also find us here http://forums.focaljet.com/tousley-ford/ 2002 Silver SVT #2952 , custom CAI , Stage 2 throttle body, VF rear mount, FRPP 9mm wires, EAP/MACH HID's, Borla exhaust, K-W springs, FRPP UDP, Screamin Demon coil, Tuned by Mike at Unique Tuning in S.C.

10-25-2009, 09:48 AM	#15 (permalink)
bmylez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lackland AFB, TX Posts: 1,922	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt They still last a while, though. Mine look like they have ~%60 left. I can put another 30k miles on them before I have to think about changing them. Doesn't sound that fast to me?? __________________ 2002 SVTF: custom cams, Thunderbolt HFC, HKS exhaust, etc. SBC stg 3 + Torsen LSD = :-D Aaron @ English Racing - "I can't remember the last time I was impressed by a Ford, but I was impressed by yours."

10-26-2009, 11:51 AM	#16 (permalink)
FORDSVTPARTS Premier Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 8,240	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt All I know is that I did both ends at the same time and the rears had to be replaced last winter and I did the fronts this summer. The rears were worn to the point of not being able to hold the car on a slight incline with the e-brake. I'm not saying they wear excessively but they do wear faster than the fronts. __________________ To order from me just call 1-800-328-9552 and ask for Steve or use one of the methods below. Now accepting online orders here http://www.tousleyfordparts.com You can also find us here http://forums.focaljet.com/tousley-ford/ 2002 Silver SVT #2952 , custom CAI , Stage 2 throttle body, VF rear mount, FRPP 9mm wires, EAP/MACH HID's, Borla exhaust, K-W springs, FRPP UDP, Screamin Demon coil, Tuned by Mike at Unique Tuning in S.C.

11-01-2009, 01:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
toonces Rookie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Goleta, CA Posts: 6	Re: rear brake piston issue on svt I have the same problem with my left rear caliper piston. It will go in part way, then stop. I retracted the piston fully and pulled it out. It is right hand thread. It is evident that the design of the piston will allow the piston to spin if the thread binds as it is spring loaded. Any solutions other than buying a new caliper? Thanks

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