rear brakes

[IronFord]

I went to parts store for rear pads and they asked if it had steel or plastic push rods or something like that.Any body have a better clue than I.Also how hard are they to replace.Thanks for any help.

[way2old]

They are talking about the piston in the caliper. There are 2 sizes of mounting clips for the vehicle. That is why they need to know. If you can take the inside pad off and take with you to parts store, they can match it. They are fairly easy to replace. If pads are all you are doing, there are 2 little mounting bolts holding tha caliper in place. Remove these and pull caliper off rotor. Then remove the pads. Leave the inside one in place and use a "c" clamp to slowly depress the caliper piston. Install new pads in caliper, mount to caliper mounting bracket, push brake pad down easily 3 or 4 times until the caliper has brake pads making contact with the rotor. Then drive it easily to seat the pad in and you are done. Good luck.

[IronFord]

Thank you way2old that makes sense.If it stops raining today, Ihave a job to do.Thanks again.

[HEMIDAZE]

way2old,
Just a thought on your reply. A couple of years ago a mechanic friend of mine talked me into one of those "brake line pliers" or whatever they are called that clamp on the rubber brake line and stop the old fluid from going back the system when you push the piston back in. You just open the bleeder and replace the lost fluid when you are done. Any opinion on this?

[way2old]

I would not clamp anything on the brake hose due to the possibilty of collapsing the hose internally. You can open the bleeder and depress the caliper without clamping anything off at all. Just be sure to catch the old fluid and replace with new in the master cylinder. We do that here. But, I don't like to clamp any brake lines, rubber especially. That is just my opinion though. They may be perfectly safe, but I don't use them and none of my techs own any. That is by their choice also. Good question. Might bring some more discussion.

[rhandwor]

I have some and have used them I never had a problem. I worried at first when my mechanics used them but never had a comeback for this. I am retired at this time. They are a big time saver when replacing a caliper or wheel cylinder. It is a lot easier to bleed. I have used a pump oil can which I only use for brakes as oil will damage the seals. I put a hose on it push it on the bleeder and open it up pump until the fluid comes in a steady stream into the master cylinder. Then go to the next wheel. I found the first bleed I get some air the second is all fluid. On my own vehicles I replace all wheel cylinders and install rebuilt calipers at around 100,000 miles.