Ford WindstarIntroduced in the mid-1990s, the front-wheel-drive Ford Windstar minivan campaigned with an emphasis on, and reputation for, safety. And in the hotly contested family minivan market of the time, that was an especially solid piece of ground to be on. As long as buyers didn't need to haul adults in back on a regular basis, the Windstar served a family's needs just fine.
I was in the process of changing the my front brakes and had to use a "C"clamp to push the piston so that I can install new brake pads.
I never dealt with new brake calipers and pistons and wanted to ask a question:
--is it normal that I have to use a"C"clamp to move the piston. I was under impression that the movement of the piston must be very easy, since as I understand when the brake pedal is released it has to go back on its own....
If anyone of you worked with the a new brake caliper, please let me know how if it is hard to move a piston or not.
Yes it is hard to push in cause you are backfeeding all that fluid on new or old calipers. Crack the bleeder screw and the c clamp will be easier.
P.S. On any ABS system it is not recommended to push the fluid backwards when compressing calipers, it may damage the ABS system. Always crack the bleeder screws when compressing caliper pistons.
__________________
Mark V
Look for me on the PS3 network, I am usually playing Uncharted 2 demo right now. My PS3 name is delorean6683
Just following up on your last sentence....
...if one opens the bleeder screw, would that make the piston move freely or would that be not as hard to move it with the "C"clamp as opposed to when the bleeder is closed?
thank you,
newbie321
95 3.8L Windstar
Last edited by newbie321; 05-12-2009 at 09:39 PM..
When the bleeder screw is opened it will be easier to push the piston in by hand or easier with a c clamp. Either way it will still take some muscle to move the piston cause it is o-ringed and machined for a tight fit.
__________________
Mark V
Look for me on the PS3 network, I am usually playing Uncharted 2 demo right now. My PS3 name is delorean6683
To prevent nasty fluid from being pushed back upstream, I put about a two-foot long stick or board between the brake pedal and front of the seat, then run the seat forward far enough to put pressure on the brake system. This shuts off the fluid return port in the master cylinder. Then I put a long clear tube over the bleeder valve and open it, carefully at first. The far end of the tube goes into a container, of course.
This way, no fluid can go back upstream to pollute the system. And believe me, it's nasty if it's been awhile.
Thank you so much for your assistance with my question. I have posted a number of questions here and you always provide clean, clear and thorough answers.
Thank you so much for your assistance with my question. I have posted a number of questions here and you always provide clean, clear and thorough answers.
THANK YOU!!
newbie321
95windstar 3.8L
__________________
Mark V
Look for me on the PS3 network, I am usually playing Uncharted 2 demo right now. My PS3 name is delorean6683
To prevent nasty fluid from being pushed back upstream, I put about a two-foot long stick or board between the brake pedal and front of the seat, then run the seat forward far enough to put pressure on the brake system. This shuts off the fluid return port in the master cylinder. Then I put a long clear tube over the bleeder valve and open it, carefully at first. The far end of the tube goes into a container, of course.
This way, no fluid can go back upstream to pollute the system. And believe me, it's nasty if it's been awhile.
GB
WHAT?? do you mean by pushing nasty fluid back up the system ????
Is it not a sealed system and the fluid is in it anyway, and if you were not changing the break pads would the fluid not be in there anyway and not cause any problems
Shopping for new Ford can be a stressful experience especially if you don't have the right information. Our new car research center at CarEverything.com can help relieve this stress and bring the joy back to new car buying!
The Car Blog, or TCB for those who are acronymically inclined, is alive because some of today's top Web designers needed a place to drool and bitch about their motor vehicle obsessions.
Read the auto blog at Automotive.com to get the latest news and opinions, view the newest concept cars, and join discussions with auto experts from around the world.
Compressing front brake caliper piston... 
Linear Mode
