Problem with front brakes

[steves1967]

So I put new dropped spindles on my C20, then bought new rotors, bearings, and brake pads. I bought the spindles from POL, the rotors are Raybestos, and the pads are Bendix CT3's.

I got the drivers side together with a little wiggling and finesse, but the passengers side just wont go. Seems like the inside pad (piston side) is too thick. It measure .605".

Please take a look at the attached pics- where is my problem? Im thinking about taking a little material off of the "mounting ears" to give that inside pad enough room to fit. I really don't want to swap back to the old spindles just to see if they fit. I can slide the old brake pads in with no problem- but they're older, worn down pads.

Any suggestions or ideas????

[Andy4639]

The pictures aren't working for me but did you put the vise grips on the piston and push it all the way back in to the rubber boot?

That is the only thing I can think of unless the pad was a little bigger than spec.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

The pictures aren't working for me but did you put the vise grips on the piston and push it all the way back in to the rubber boot?.....

I use a large c-type clamp.

Re. thick pads: I have had pads that were thicker than specs. Check both sides and compare.

[Andy4639]

These are the vise grips I perfer to use for brake work.Welder vise grips.

[68gmsee]

Yeah, I figured that's what you meant. I mentioned the c-clamps since most people have those around the house and some people may not know to use them to retract the pistons.

[steves1967]

Sorry guys- not sure why the pics didn't show up, here they are......again.

[luvbowties]

1-look up a good picture/diagram of how to assemble both the pads first into the caliper & then slide that complete assembly onto/over the rotor.
2-with both pads in caliper AND piston pushed ALL the way in(may hafta loosen bleed screw to get piston to retract completely), do pads leave enough width between them to slide onto rotor? I.E., rotors may be thicker than original ones--like the wrong ones?
3-referring to #1, your pics look like you are NOT assembling them correctly.

HTH, and sorry about not finding you an assembly picture--Google is your friend for that.
Sam

[luvbowties]

How about posting the same pics of the other side--the one u said u completed. Somehow, your parts(caliper mts) & assembly do not look right. With those pics, I think some of us can guide you correctly.
Sam

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

How about posting the same pics of the other side--the one u said u completed. Somehow, your parts(caliper mts) & assembly do not look right. With those pics, I think some of us can guide you correctly.
Sam

I agree, the caliper braket does not look right and some photos of the left side would help determine the problem you are having. It is very rare to ever see a pad that is too thick. I say this only after 25 yrs as a professional technician and installed thousands of brake pads.

Also, make sure the caliper slide pins are free and lubed well with brake grease.

[68gmsee]

May have to force the piston in more as mentioned above. The edge of the piston should be almost flush with the caliper housing when fully retracted. Sometimes they are hard to push in on old calipers because of grime and corrosion. If that's the case, it may be better to replace it.



from this site: http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/DSC02983.jpg

[STOCKISH]

Rotor on one side thicker than the other?

[steves1967]

Im puzzled here. I know how to install the pads into the calipers correctly, and they fit the calipers fine. The middle picture is just showing that the pads are too thick to fit between the rotor and the "mounting ears" of the spindle. I measure both rotors, all the pads, and the thickness of the "mounting ear" everything is the same. I thinking about taking a file to the inside of the mounting ear and giving it a bit more clearance for the pad to fit. Would just hate to ruin a brand new drop spindle......

[TBONE1964]

Have you tried swapping the pads left to right to see if you reverse the problem? I would try that and see what happens. If the pads fit OK on the left side, the same pads should fit OK on the right. It is a simple test.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by steves1967

Im puzzled here. I know how to install the pads into the calipers correctly, and they fit the calipers fine. The middle picture is just showing that the pads are too thick to fit between the rotor and the "mounting ears" of the spindle. I measure both rotors, all the pads, and the thickness of the "mounting ear" everything is the same. I thinking about taking a file to the inside of the mounting ear and giving it a bit more clearance for the pad to fit. Would just hate to ruin a brand new drop spindle......

If both measure the same, don't file anything down. Did you check the piston to make sure it's pushed in all the way and flush or almost flush with the caliper as I mentioned above? I've had them freeze up on me before and have had to torque down on the clamp to push them in all the way.

[Andy4639]

I read the orignal post again. U say u put everything new on. When you put the rotor on and tightened the nut u backed it off enough for the assembly to spin freely correct?

[steves1967]

I swapped pads side to side- they fit real snug on the drivers- but wont fit on the pass side. I installed the rotors, torqued to 15lbs while spinning the rotor, then backed it off 1 flat to fit the cotter pin. The caliper pistons are buried flush with the caliper housing.

I guess I could swap the spindle and see if that fixes things- then I'd know the problem is with the spindle....sounds like I got some work to do!

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by steves1967

I swapped pads side to side- they fit real snug on the drivers- but wont fit on the pass side. I installed the rotors, torqued to 15lbs while spinning the rotor, then backed it off 1 flat to fit the cotter pin. The caliper pistons are buried flush with the caliper housing.

I guess I could swap the spindle and see if that fixes things- then I'd know the problem is with the spindle....sounds like I got some work to do!

Hey, Steve. I see now that earlier I was looking wrong at your pics, sorry. To save some labor swapping spindles, why not just swap rotors, side to side. If same problem still exists with passenger side, that leaves nothing except the pass-side spindle being incorrect, right?

Hope this may save some labor. Good luck.
Sam

[truckdude239]

sounds liek you got a bad drop spindle that has the rotor pulled to far back

[steves1967]

Well, I took my peanut grinder to the inside of the mounting ear, clearance it about a 1/16" and the pads slid in with just a couple taps from the 2 lbs dead blow hammer, about the same amount of force needed on the drivers side.

[truckdude239]

You shouldnt have to tap it all it should slide in nice and loose it you had to tap it in with a hammer its going to drag the pad against the rotor
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