Any auto mechanics in this forum?

[Pogo]

I have a 2002 Ford F350, and it has about 27,000 miles on it. I'm hearing a slight noise that sounds like the sensor in the brake pads when they wear down to a certain thickness. I've changed a lot of brake pads and brake shoes on older vehicles - a piece of cake. But, I understand you have to be careful if you have a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, in that something can be damaged when you squeeze the piston back into the caliper.

Perhaps I'm lucky, but I changed my front brakes on my 1999 Ford F250 and it had anti-lock brakes, and didn't have any problems.

Can any of you mechanics fill me in what the deal is? :p

[jon1996]

The only thing I can think of that could be damaged is the magnetic pickup for the wheel speed sensor, But it is pretty protected, just change them and dont think twice, I am ase certified in gasoline and diesel just so you know I aint talking out my ass,
later,
jon

[imanaknut]

Depending on the design, if you remove the rotor, and are not careful when you reinstall it, you can hit the speed sensor for the ABS and possibly damage it. The other possiblilty is that if you push the piston in too fast, you can raise the pressure in the ABS controller enough to do some damage. It might not be designed to take a high pressure in the reverse direction. Push the piston back slowly and you should not have a problem.

[63DH8]

http://www.fordf150.net/forums/index.php These guys are pretty good. If they can't help with your F-350, they can point you to those who can help.

Some vehicles have an accumulator that can rupture if you push your piston in too fact or if you don't crack the beeder valve prior to pushing the piston back. I don't know if the F-350 has that or not.

[JAS086]

best way is to open the bleeder valve when you retract the caliper, being careful you don't get air into the system . This prevents you from over pressuring the sensors. The caliper presses in real easy this way.

[Pogo]

best way is to open the bleeder valve when you retract the caliper, being careful you don't get air into the system . This prevents you from over pressuring the sensors. The caliper presses in real easy this way.

OK, when you do that, I guess you are just squirting out some of the brake fluid out of the bleeder valve as you retract the caliper. And then you can top off the master cylinder when you are done. Is that right? :p

Edited to add: I usually put a round disc of wood in the piston and use a large C-clamp to depress it, as I slowly turn the screw on the clamp. Is that what you guys would do?

[gwitness]

Pogo...that is generally what I do......with the exception of ABS brakes, there is just too much of a chance of damaging something within the ABS system, with ABS I lock-off the brake line and then open the bleeder and push the piston back into the bore.

btw....I also am a ASE tech....going on 20 years in the field.

[blobman]

gwitness is probly the man,sometimes with emer. brakes the piston spins and to push it in thats what you gotta do(spin it that is )

[Arnulf]

Thats how I always done it....opened the valve.....put a clamp on it...retracted the caliper piston.
Putting on new brake shoes and pads is a pretty simple job...unless you are working on someones rusted peice of shit.....And changing the abs speed senser is no big deal...just unplug it...then unscrew it....install new senser!

[Pogo]

Thats how I always done it....opened the valve.....put a clamp on it...retracted the caliper piston.
Putting on new brake shoes and pads is a pretty simple job...unless you are working on someones rusted peice of shit.....And changing the abs speed senser is no big deal...just unplug it...then unscrew it....install new senser!


Luckily, it's only two years old and less than 30K miles. Shouldn't be any rust. Thanks guys. :p

[Arnulf]

Luckily, it's only two years old and less than 30K miles. Shouldn't be any rust. Thanks guys. :p

We had a pretty good snowfall for T-Day......and MI. uses salt all winter long...and it causes rust and corrosion to set in even faster than normal.
I have looked under new trucks that have sat out next to the road all winter....and have saw surface rust on the frames....the plows go by all winter...and that salt spray gets on them new pickups......they wash em...but still it can't be doing them any good!