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JerryR · 10-21-2002, 11:00 AM

Ares and Shaggy,

Thanks a bunch guys! I'll look into the el-cheapo cube since that's probably what I need. Thanks especially for the picture - as they say, it's worth a lot of words.... :-)

I just wanted someone (who had done it preferably) to tell me that yes indeed the piston does screw in clockwise. I had various opinions on whether it screws in or there is some other mechanism to adjust it (all from work friends).

Also, when I first took it off to check the pads in the back, I found that the notch on the leading edge of the piston no longer lined up with the stud on the back side of the inboard pad. Not sure what moved as I didn't actuate the brake but since I didn't have the tool you mentioned I just pried on the right hand notch (gently) to realign the notch and pin so I could slide the caliper fully on again. I found using this technique that the piston doesn't rotate very well. Obviously just pushing on one side isn't going to give me the advantage of turning the entire piston uniformly but I was surprised at how tight it was anyway. So, I wanted to ask you guys, is it a very tight fit so that when you have the tool, the piston is still fairly tight to turn (in the clockwise direction)? Just wondering how tight it is.

Also, I have one other question if you can put up with me. I have 32000 miles on my GT now and I'm a fairly gentle driver in terms of braking. However, I figured I was probably getting close to a brake job on the car. Well, when I checked the front disk pads, there was hardly _any_ wear at all. In fact they are only about 1/16" less thick than the new pads I had purchased. However, the rear pads are about 1/2 the thickness of the new rear pads. So, my question is this, realizing that the front pads are probalby semi-metallic whereas the rear ones are just organic, should I expect this type of wear pattern? I had always heard that since the front brakes do most of the stopping, the front brakes should be much more worn than the rear brakes. However, in my case, it appears to be the other way around. Does this wear pattern match your cars' experience or could I possibly have some type of balance problem in the master cylinder? Just wondering. The car stops wicked fast with no sign of brake fade but I was just curious about this. I hate to mess with it if it's working ok.

Hey, this is a GREAT forum and you guys have been super to help me. Many thanks again!

JerryR

10-21-2002, 11:00 AM	#10
JerryR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 5	Ares and Shaggy, Thanks a bunch guys! I'll look into the el-cheapo cube since that's probably what I need. Thanks especially for the picture - as they say, it's worth a lot of words.... :-) I just wanted someone (who had done it preferably) to tell me that yes indeed the piston does screw in clockwise. I had various opinions on whether it screws in or there is some other mechanism to adjust it (all from work friends). Also, when I first took it off to check the pads in the back, I found that the notch on the leading edge of the piston no longer lined up with the stud on the back side of the inboard pad. Not sure what moved as I didn't actuate the brake but since I didn't have the tool you mentioned I just pried on the right hand notch (gently) to realign the notch and pin so I could slide the caliper fully on again. I found using this technique that the piston doesn't rotate very well. Obviously just pushing on one side isn't going to give me the advantage of turning the entire piston uniformly but I was surprised at how tight it was anyway. So, I wanted to ask you guys, is it a very tight fit so that when you have the tool, the piston is still fairly tight to turn (in the clockwise direction)? Just wondering how tight it is. Also, I have one other question if you can put up with me. I have 32000 miles on my GT now and I'm a fairly gentle driver in terms of braking. However, I figured I was probably getting close to a brake job on the car. Well, when I checked the front disk pads, there was hardly _any_ wear at all. In fact they are only about 1/16" less thick than the new pads I had purchased. However, the rear pads are about 1/2 the thickness of the new rear pads. So, my question is this, realizing that the front pads are probalby semi-metallic whereas the rear ones are just organic, should I expect this type of wear pattern? I had always heard that since the front brakes do most of the stopping, the front brakes should be much more worn than the rear brakes. However, in my case, it appears to be the other way around. Does this wear pattern match your cars' experience or could I possibly have some type of balance problem in the master cylinder? Just wondering. The car stops wicked fast with no sign of brake fade but I was just curious about this. I hate to mess with it if it's working ok. Hey, this is a GREAT forum and you guys have been super to help me. Many thanks again! JerryR __________________ JerryR