Slider pins won't tighten all the way in?!

[71grancoupe]

So, I started a two hour brake job about four hours ago to replace the pads in my '71. Should have been an easy fix since the rotors are fine and I just needed to throw pads on. I didn't even finish one side: The slider pins are not turning all the way into the back of the calipers enough to lock the positioners into place. I compared the side I hadn't dismantled. I took the caliper and new pads and studied the way everything goes in. I cannot figure out why the pins won't go all the way in. Please help before more sh## in the garage gets broken!

 

[barnfind]

A pic of what your doing may help us

 

[71grancoupe]

I'll get a pic when I start back at it this weekend.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

I'm trying to visualize this. The pins have a shoulder on them and can only go in so far. The positioners are easily bent over time and will need to be re bent into position with each brake job.



Alan

 

[Yatzee]

Sounds as if you have stripped threads where the bolts/sliders thread in. Check carefully and if this is the case you can get over-sized bolts or a better choice would be to use heli-coils. If everything you are putting back on is the same as everything you removed, then probably the sliders are the issue.

 

[polara71]

I think the bolts haven't even started to thread yet.....

 

[moonrunner1972]

I had a similar experience recently when trying to install new calipers and pads on my 1973 Polara. I wound up stripping one of the slider pins that came with the new calipers. I then removed the adapter that bolts to the spindle only to strip one of the bolts. I then calmly put my tools away for the night and returned the next morning. After running a tap through the bolt holes of where the caliper bolts to the adapter and the spindle, I ran a die over the two bolts that secure the adapter to the spindle and over the threaded portion of the slider pins. As an added precaution, I purchased a tube of caliper grease to aid in the assembly. The rest of the assembly was uneventful.

 

[polara71]

and lets not forget the rubber grommet sometimes goes into the screw hole

 

[SF-66TC]

So, I started a two hour brake job about four hours ago to replace the pads in my '71. Should have been an easy fix since the rotors are fine and I just needed to throw pads on. I didn't even finish one side: The slider pins are not turning all the way into the back of the calipers enough to lock the positioners into place. I compared the side I hadn't dismantled. I took the caliper and new pads and studied the way everything goes in. I cannot figure out why the pins won't go all the way in. Please help before more sh## in the garage gets broken!

Pull the caliper off and try screwing in the slider pins. The rubber bushings could be holding you up so with the caliper out you should be able to see what's going on. If the threads are good and the pins screw in then the pins are probably getting skewed when you're inserting them. Give it a shot and let us know what you find.

 

[71grancoupe]

The positioners having to be re-bent totally makes sense.

The pins are positively not stripped, threads are good and I'm sure they stop screwing in when the shoulders hit.

Thanks for all the feedback, you guys are great! I may not be getting back to it for a few days but will let you know what happens...

 

[71grancoupe]

Thanks Alan, it was the positioners that needed to be spread back out. I would have never figured THAT out!

It's just as well that I didn't do them that day-- I was out of disc brake quiet and I needed to buy some SylGlide so I got that stuff and did them right. I also took the time to repack the bearings.

thanks to all for their input!

 

[polara71]

so they were all the way in

 

[71grancoupe]

Yes, what threw me were the positioners being so loose. Just glad it was something simple.