AARRGGHH!!

[onetuford]

How in God's name do you get these confounded calipers installed? I'm putting together mid-late 70's Ford 2 wheel peices with the goofy arched spring thing. Anybody got a good pic of the unit together or knows the trick? Thanks!!

[Racer Z]

Technically, you don't have to put that arched spring thing in. It's an anti-chatter thing and I think it doubles as the low pad squeal warning.

I have not done pads on my Bump yet. I have on many other cars and trucks, domestic and foreign.

Usually I put one pin in all the way. That's the easy pin. Then I slide the second pin up to the spring clip and push the spring down with a flat-tip screwdriver. While one hand is pressing the pin, my other hand pushes the pin in till it's near the second spring. Then I repeat for the second pin. Some brakes slide easy and some need to be persuaded with a tink-tink hammer.

[onetuford]

I guess i will take a pic of what I'm talking about...I'm not sure I'm conveying what I mean correctly...

[onetuford]

Wouldn't you know it, my camera crapped out on me. I took some pics with my even crappier cell phone. hope this works.



This image shows the little spring but I can not get both in,




I could get it in like this with out the spring.

[Racer Z]

Hmm, I see. I can't offer any help. Sorry. I bet fordman knows.

[CH3NO2]

If you take a close look at that caliper ,onthe bottom you will see how it kinda curves upwards.That makes the gap a little wider on the outside than the inside.So if you install the retainer from the out side its alot easier.And use the spring,if you don't you will hate yourself later.

[fordman]

Hmm, I see. I can't offer any help. Sorry. I bet fordman knows.

what i know about those is that you have to hold it all up as high as you can and then hit it in with a hammer. that is all i can remember about how those go together.

[ezernut9mm]

if the caliper and bracket are aligned they slide right in. . you'll get it. just step back and have a cold one or two and look at it again.

[Aussie_1970]

looking at the pic, to my eyes it seems the caliper is sitting a bit low, 'cause you can see some shiny metal at the top on the second pic...are the pads in right, ie seated correctly etc?? If they aren't aligned right the caliper may be off its line...sorry if youve' put em in right and am thinking 'aussie wanker'

[onetuford]

That makes the gap a little wider on the outside than the inside.So if you install the retainer from the out side its alot easier.And use the spring,if you don't you will hate yourself later.

That Makes sense. I get what your saying.

what i know about those is that you have to hold it all up as high as you can and then hit it in with a hammer. that is all i can remember about how those go together.

Ok, Thats how I got it together without the spring, but wasn't sure If it should need to be coersed. I just wondered how it would "float" if it was so tight.

if the caliper and bracket are aligned they slide right in. . you'll get it. just step back and have a cold one or two and look at it again.

I definitely needed to step away! I had shoulder surgery on the 2nd and that bugger started to kill me so I took a break to sleep on it.

Thanks to all for the help! Much appreciated!
Ps. The shiny metal is just rusty metal with a coat of my favorite substance: Anti-seize compound! I plan on taking it all apart next winter to paint it up.

[thorn1968]

I just went through all that with mine...it's a real bear to put together. I ordered new springs and the retainer. It came with new bolts as well.

[71highboy]

Hmm, I see. I can't offer any help. Sorry. I bet fordman knows.

what i know about those is that you have to hold it all up as high as you can and then hit it in with a hammer. that is all i can remember about how those go together.

thats also how i do it.works everytime.

[fordman]

once it gets started it just taps in. but it is probably just cocked a little is why it wont start.

[onetuford]

I could get it started, I just wasn't sure I needed to smack that sucker. I'll get it now, though, I've got a great selection of hammers.

[onetuford]

If you take a close look at that caliper ,onthe bottom you will see how it kinda curves upwards.That makes the gap a little wider on the outside than the inside.So if you install the retainer from the out side its alot easier.And use the spring,if you don't you will hate yourself later.

Sure enough! I went outside and bada bing bada boom, she slid right in with a slight tap from a rubber mallet. Thanks for the replies to all!