[suprglyde]

Hi all, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.
I'm getting ready to change brake pads on my '05 V6 - and later my '04 droptop. My question is - can I just use a c-clamp on the front calipers to push them in to clear the new pads, or do I need to turn them clockwise to get them back in place like the rear ones?
Thanks in advance for any help and the benefit of your experience.
Larry

 

[amustangrocks]

yes, you can just push the frts in with a c clamp

 

[suprglyde]

Thanks. Just what I needed.
Larry

 

[05sangy]

pads

what pads did you decide to go with? I am replacing mine soon and was deciding between the HPS and ceramic hawk pads from AM.

 

[suprglyde]

I will Probably go with price more than any other thing. I don't see a need to spend outrageous prices for something that I know I will be replacing again.
I know all the arguments, but everybody does what he/she thinks is right at the time.

 

[suprglyde]

BTW - Has anyone used one of those caliper "block shaped" tool, or can it be turned using a needle-nose pliers? I have also seen a model-specific tool that looks like a half-inch thick washer with two nipples on either side.
Any suggestions here sure would be helpful.

 

[05mystang]

what pads did you decide to go with? I am replacing mine soon and was deciding between the HPS and ceramic hawk pads from AM.

I would go with the HPS, they are better for a daily driver. The ceramic needs to warm up to take full advantage of them, and you won't be able to keep them warm on the street. They are however a bit quieter and will produce very little dust

 

[suprglyde]

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/members/05mystang.html05mystang said it all. Here's the biggest thing to remember - "daily driver". Whatever you do, don't trade dependability for performance. Trust me on that - and I'd be willing to bet there are a lot of others that would agree right here with us.

 

[05sangy]

I would go with the HPS, they are better for a daily driver. The ceramic needs to warm up to take full advantage of them, and you won't be able to keep them warm on the street. They are however a bit quieter and will produce very little dust

I thought HPS were the ones that performed better when they were hot?

 

[suprglyde]

I wouldn't go with ceramic without changing rotors as well - assuming you still have the original ones on the car. The ceramic pads will wear out the rotors more quickly, so I have read.

 

[slumpbuster]

BTW - Has anyone used one of those caliper "block shaped" tool, or can it be turned using a needle-nose pliers? I have also seen a model-specific tool that looks like a half-inch thick washer with two nipples on either side.
Any suggestions here sure would be helpful.

You can't get leverage and torque need with regular needle nose, but needle nose Vise Grip worked great for me, with care not to damage the indents. Put piston in bench vise wrapped in shop rags so you don't scratch or gouge. Set pliers to proper fit, slide a long screwdriver through pliers for proper turning leverage. Works good if you already have the Vice Grips, otherwise, I think the actual brake tool is cheaper at Harbor Freight than the vice grips are.

 

[Nice Pony]

For the rear just get the tool. You can find one at places like Harbor Freight or a local auto parts store for less then $10. This makes the job easy and saves you from busted knuckles trying to use the wrong tool for the job.

I have been running Hawk HPS pads for over 120,000 miles. They work great on the street and at the track, are easy on the rotors. I am on my second set by the way.

 

[05mystang]

I thought HPS were the ones that performed better when they were hot?

No that's ceramic. The HPS are semi-metallic and are great for the street. They can even be used at the track

 

[suprglyde]

For the rear just get the tool. You can find one at places like Harbor Freight or a local auto parts store for less then $10. This makes the job easy and saves you from busted knuckles trying to use the wrong tool for the job.

I have been running Hawk HPS pads for over 120,000 miles. They work great on the street and at the track, are easy on the rotors. I am on my second set by the way.

Thanks, Do you use the cube or the model-specific one?
Larry

 

[mustang78248]

I used the cube one, but the side with nubs that had the right spacing had four nubs and you only need two. I used a grinder to take off two nubs and it worked fine.

The model-specific tool is easier because it has a C clamp built it to keep pressure on the piston. When you use the nub you have to push down and turn the piston at the same time. It takes a fair amount of arm power to compress the piston, so I used a large C-clamp around the cube to press and turn at the same time.

Bruce

 

[Maniak]

I bought a kit (not the block) from HFT. I think I paid $20 for it, but I Don't see it listed anymore.

This is the kit I see there now.
18 Piece Disc Brake Pad and Caliper Service Tool Kit

I've used this on our '06 mustang and the inlaws car, plus a few others. It works really well.

For the fronts, I still use a big c-clamp on the old pads since you can get more torque on it easily and its quicker to setup.

~Mark

 

[suprglyde]

The model-specific one I saw didn't have a c-clamp on it. It looked like a fat washer with a 3/8 socket hole in the middle, and two nipples on one side. It is sold at sears.

 

[amustangrocks]

The model-specific one I saw didn't have a c-clamp on it. It looked like a fat washer with a 3/8 socket hole in the middle, and two nipples on one side. It is sold at sears.

harbor freight has the kit you need. its 20-29.00. its got a clamp that turns and pushes, thats what you want for the rears. i didnt see it online either, but if you have a store neasr you, i would go there