So, fixed the rear brake problem today. Turns out the brake wear sensor wire had broken off.
Of course, I had it all pulled apart by then. The pads had about 50% wear, but the rotors were kind of rough. One you could see the heat hardened spots and th other had a rock or something caught between the rotor and pads and made a big, deep gouge around the diameter.
I had new rotors and pads on hand, so I just went ahead and replaced it all. Parts were already bought and it was all apart so it just made sense to put new parts on.
Thats when the “PO” started. Brakes, so it was dirty as heck, no matter how many times you hit it with brake clean. But the biggest PO was trying to retract the brake caliper pistons. Tried my big c-clamp first: nope, not even thinking about moving. Grab the service manual and yep, they screw in.
Over to the mill and spin out an adapter to use with a ratchet. Works a treat. Spins the piston easily.
Except……
It’s not retracting, just spinning. WTH?
I boot up the factory digital service manual and go to the brakes section.
Aha! They have a “special tool”.
I pull up the reference and it turns out the brake tool has to simultaneously spin the piston while forcing it back.
Now, if I was some joker with a socket set and a keen desire to so my own work, I would understand needing to buy a “brake tool”. But I’m not. I used to be a mechanic and have a fully stacked box. I never would have needed ti buy a “special tool” to do brakes with my setup.
A little digging reveals my rear disc conversion on my mustang, the wifes mini van rear brakes and probably my newer f150 use the same type of setup and need the same tool.
80 bucks and a trip to crappy tire later, tool in hand and finished up the mini brakes.
Hook up the scanner and go through a dozen settings and resets and all the warning lights on the dash are “off”.
I can’t believe the engineers change things that have worked for decades to something you need “special tools” to work on.
Oh well, way of the world these days I guess….