1992 Ford Taurus Rear Caliper Sticking

1992 FORD TAURUS
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COKHILLBILLY
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I have replaced a cailper on the rear of the car. It has disc brakes on the rear and I was told I have to adjust park brake because the caliper is sticking can anyone tell me how to do this.
Jul 14, 2006 at 4:11 AM
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TAURUSWHEEL
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There is no adjustment at the caliper for the parking brake, it is integral to the caliper,, there is a gear within the caliper piston which turns it outward when you step on the park brake pedal, that is why you must use the piston tool to rotate the piston inward when you replace the pads... the adjustment is at the parking brake cable under the drivers door next to the frame, loosen or tighten there,,, give it a healthy dose of anti-seize compound, it'll always work for you.. if your parking brake is not releasing correctly, the problem is within the cable itself, they don't last forever, or the caliper piston itself is sticking, you said you replaced the caliper though, unless there's an issue with the new one..
Apr 5, 2021 at 4:35 AM
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COKHILLBILLY
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[quote:497ca4f2b9="TaurusWheel"]There is no adjustment at the caliper for the parking brake, it is integral to the caliper,, there is a gear within the caliper piston which turns it outward when you step on the park brake pedal, that is why you must use the piston tool to rotate the piston inward when you replace the pads... the adjustment is at the parking brake cable under the drivers door next to the frame, loosen or tighten there,,, give it a healthy dose of anti-seize compound, it'll always work for you.. if your parking brake is not releasing correctly, the problem is within the cable itself, they don't last forever, or the caliper piston itself is sticking, you said you replaced the caliper though, unless there's an issue with the new one..[/quote:497ca4f2b9]

I didnot use the piston tool to push the piston inward i stuck the caliper and pads on is that y the caliper is sticking
Apr 5, 2021 at 4:35 AM
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TAURUSWHEEL
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How did you get the piston to retract?? There wouldn't be enough clearance for the new pads to fit, you wouldn't be able to put the caliper back over the disc.. if you used c-clamp or some type of tool used to push the piston back, such as the tool used for the front calipers, you most likely will break the gears within the rear pistons.. on a new or rebuilt calipoer the piston may or may not already be in the retracted position..
Apr 5, 2021 at 4:35 AM
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COKHILLBILLY
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Thank you so much for the advice I did use a c clamp to push the caliper piston in. and I found the adjustment for the park brake under the driver side rear door. You saved me alot of time and money.
Apr 5, 2021 at 4:35 AM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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There's a little tool you can buy expressly for the rear caliper pistons, normally around 10 bucks or so, it fits on a 3\8 rachet and allows you to retract the piston,,, make sure when you do, you leave the notches (2) in the 12 and 6 positions so the pins on the pads will fit in..
Apr 5, 2021 at 4:35 AM
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Suggested Repair

The rear parking brake is built into the caliper and is not adjusted at the caliper. Retract the piston by rotating it with the rear-caliper piston tool on a 3/8 ratchet, not by pushing it with a C-clamp, which can damage the internal gears. Align the two piston notches at 12 and 6 o'clock so the pad pins fit. Adjust cable tension at the parking-brake adjuster under the driver's door beside the frame, and apply anti-seize. If the brake still will not release, inspect the cable and the new caliper piston.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1992 Ford Taurus with rear disc brakes replaced a rear caliper and was told to adjust the parking brake because the caliper was sticking. The expert explained that parking-brake adjustment is at the cable under the driver's door, not at the caliper, and that the piston must be rotated inward with the proper tool. The owner had used a C-clamp, which can damage the piston gears, then found the cable adjuster. The expert recommended the inexpensive piston tool and aligning the notches at 12 and 6 o'clock.

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