Need a caliper tool

Telco

Dedicated LVC Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
2,895
Reaction score
126
Location
2003 Lincoln LS V8
I need to replace the rear brake pads on my LS, can anyone recommend a caliper windback tool I can use on this? Was going to hire the work out but I'm not paying 250 bucks to just replace rear pads. That's not even at the dealer either, but the local yokels. I did a search for the tool on the board but nothing came up (did see a pretty neat Cadillac caliper upgrade for a Mark 8 though). Thanks.
 
Thought you guys in the US could rent them from Autozone, no?
 
For the record, you can grind the pegs on the universal cube tool on an angle so it works. The widest set of pins on the cube end up pressing against the beveled edge on the inner end of the slots on the caliper. Grinding the pegs to match that bevel largely prevents the tool from jumping out like a stripped screw. Not ideal, but it's an option, and just wanted to throw it out there in case someone's in a bind
 
Ugh. Hate having a not-American made tool in my box. What diameter is needed for the LS? If it's 1.5 inch then Lisle makes an American-made tool for this.
 
Hmmmm....guess I forgot? I did the rear brakes on the 04 V6 LS a few years ago. So they DO HAVE the screw in type pistons? I probably just improvised something. don-ohio (:^)
 
It can be done with a pair of pliers and some time. I did a lot of improvising back in my 20s and broke, but these days I prefer getting the correct tool.

If it comes to it and the rear doesn't have the 1.5 inch caliper pistons, I'll be getting one of the sets Joe posted.
 
For some years---starting with my bought-new '75 Mark IV I improvised, but several years ago I bought the HF 'kit'. The bridge that fits into the caliper is soft, but even somewhat deformed, it works just fine. I paid $30 +/-. I'm satisfied.

KS
 
Yeah,Cammer! It's always best to have the correct tool. I didn't know they had those screwy screw type pistons back that far. First set I ran into was in 86,I believe. don-ohio (:^)
 
68316469f4893ff06727aecbf37347e1.jpg


I got this from O'Reilly Auto.
 
Does anyone know if the caliper piston uses the 1.5 inch diameter tool? Some of the searching indicates that it does have a 1.5 inch piston. Thanks.
 
Does anyone know if the caliper piston uses the 1.5 inch diameter tool? Some of the searching indicates that it does have a 1.5 inch piston. Thanks.

Okay, I measured mine, and nothing really came out as exactly 1.5". The diameter of the tool is just over 1.5" and a hair under 1.75". The center to center measurement of the two pegs that engage the caliper piston is a little less than 1.5". From the outside of one peg to the outside of the other is pretty close to 1.5", but not exactly.

It's possible that the diameter of another brand tool might be exactly 1.5", where mine from a universal kit is slightly more.
 
The calipers have slots, so you have some leeway. Even if you went out to the angled parts, it'd still work fine

P3130209_zpsfd936927.jpg
 
Very helpful, Joe and Frank. Thanks for the check. Unfortunately, looks like these advertised made in USA tools are showing made in China when you dig a little deeper. Sick of this crap...
 
just wait until they double the minimum wage... then literally everything will be made in china...
 
Well that sucked. Replaced the rear pads using the little square thing, because I didn't want to let the brakes go anymore because they were making noise. JUST got over tendonitis in the right elbow, and now it's hurting pretty bad again.

For future reference should anyone else find this thread, both calipers screw in CLOCKWISE. And, it must be screwed in all the way. I thought I had one all the way in but it was 2 turns short, and the caliper wouldn't clear the pads. Initially it won't want to turn but once it starts to turn it gets, well, not easy but it's not difficult. It helps to remove the rotors then reattach the caliper, the car then becomes the vice that holds the caliper in place. If you do it this way a 2x4 between the back of the caliper and the A arm will keep it in place so you can push on the wrench while turning. The little cube is not stable, but using a 3/4 inch socket and short extension helps with stability. When you do this, always replace the hardware, in my case I thought one of the calipers might have been hanging, turns out the hardware got some water in and was rusty. New hardware, no problems. Rather than the cheap little cube, which works with difficulty, the professional brake rotating kit with the backing plate would be a lot faster and a LOT easier.
 
Thanks for the tips,Telco. Mine must've been pretty easy and not corroded a few years ago,because I have no bad memories of doing them.Ha! don-ohio (:^)
 

Members online

No members online now.
Back
Top