Mike Gallant
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• Cumberland, RI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/8/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
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 Posted:11/8/2003 15:09 |
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Today I finally had a chance to put new front rotors and pads on my 2000 4x4 Excursion. The original ones were vibrating really bad and I figured I could handle this job with no problem. First of all I would love to have the Gorilla the factory used to tighten the Caliper bracket bolts, after many attempts and cracked knuckles I finally got them off!!!! Replaced both front rotors and put new pads on and all seem to go back together with no problem. Once I got wheels back on I jumped in truck, pumped brakes several times and took her for a drive. I must have messed up somewhere because the brakes seemed as though they are not releasing, pedal is spongy and after about a half mile cruise I could tell the rotors were cooking hot. Was I suppose to take the brand new rotors to a shop and have them turned??? When I put each side on and rebolted them they would not spin freely on there own at all, I figured it was typical for new rotors and pads and once I drove truck they would free up. Please any help for this wanna be mechanic would be highly appreciated.  |
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Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/8/2003 20:14 |
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Mike,
I have never changed rotors on an Excursion, but I have changed pads with no difficulty. The new rotors ahould not have to be turned and when assembled you should be able to turn the rotor relatively easily with screw driver across the studs.
Things to check: Are the rotors in the same offset position with either face out?
Does the free side of the caliper float freely? The caliper slide pins must be
cleaned and coated with high temp grease. Binding slide pins is most
likely cause of your problem. 
Did you compress the caliper piston fully so the new pads would slip
over the rotor easily?
Did the rotor turn easily before you installed the calipers?
I am sure we can help you. Please tell us more. Richard quote] |
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Mike Gallant
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• Cumberland, RI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/8/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
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Posted:11/9/2003 15:05 |
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Well today I went back out and pulled apart the brakes again and found that both the lower slide pins on both front caliper brackets are frozen. I tried everything to loosen them and nothing has worked. Currently I have both brackets soaking in a rust eater solution, checked them after soaking them almost the whole day and they are still frozen solid. I have tried a 2 foot breaker bar with a 3 pound sledge to break them loose to no avail. Does anyone have any ideas on either how to break these loose or where I can find new mounting brackets with pins??? I tried a bunch of online autopart places and none have this part available. Please help!!!Thanks  |
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Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/9/2003 22:04 |
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Mike,
I have dealt with problems like this before. I would suggest : 1. put some heat on the aluminum casting near where the pin is stuck. The aluminum and steel corrode together and the heat/WD-40/and some tapping may break loose. 2. Next drill out the pin with a drill about a 1/16 inch under the smallest pin diameter. This may loosen the pin - if not drill out the pin completely. (Sorry I got dumped off line.) Drill out the threaded part - retap the hole and get a new pin from your local Ford dealer. The next note sounds like an EZ-Out - its cone shaped - has a reverse spirel (sp?) - used to remove broken bolts. Back again no thats not an EZ-Out its a bolt remover you use with a socket and can set the direction of rotation so that when you hit it with a hammer it can loosen or tighten a bolt.
Good Luck. Richard |
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Charles Radloff
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• Phoenix, AZ, USA |
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• Registered on 1/25/2003 |
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• 87 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/9/2003 22:17 |
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I had the same problem and my dad had a tool but not sure what its called. But it was cylinder shapped and you would hit the one end with a sledge hammer and the internals of this thing as the force drove it down would reverse the bit that was in it! I guess it was only for removing stubbon screws, bolts, nuts and etc....
Anyone know what this item is? I know he got it at sears because it says craftsman on it... |
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Posted:11/10/2003 10:09 |
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YEah, i have seen the spring loaded punches that will un-screw something.
When your done foolin with pins be sure to use some 3m high temp silicone grease. Lube the slides and where the pad ears slide. Once assebled and with the caliper wide open still, ram the whole rotor back and forth taking the parts over the lubed area. To make sure you have nothing sticking. |
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Cobra427
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• Fremont, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/24/2003 |
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• 37 posts |
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Posted:11/10/2003 12:37 |
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| Quote: | I had the same problem and my dad had a tool but not sure what its called. But it was cylinder shapped and you would hit the one end with a sledge hammer and the internals of this thing as the force drove it down would reverse the bit that was in it! I guess it was only for removing stubbon screws, bolts, nuts and etc....
Anyone know what this item is? I know he got it at sears because it says craftsman on it... |
I have one of these - I think it's called an Impact Wrench (not to be confused with the air driven Impact Wrench). It's been a while... I think mine has a 1/2" drive square end on it to accept 1/2" sockets ;-) |
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Mike Gallant
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• Cumberland, RI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/8/2003 |
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• 4 posts |
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Posted:11/10/2003 20:28 |
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Thanks for all the help guys...I finally gave in and went to the local Ford Dealer and got raped for two new Brackets with pins...$178.00  |
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