i have general knowladge on this stuff and brakes are usually no problem...then i went ahead and got a 1977 lincoln mark v...i am changing the rear brakes because they are completely ate up and i cant get the caliper off! there are no bolts to remove it from the rotor! a buddy of mine told me to remove the "allen bolt" which i did but it has done nothing. also, somebody spoke of a "v" block and spring i have to remove with a hammer or something but i cannot see it. anyone who can, please help! thanks!!!!!
That allen bolt was probably holding in a key and spring on the bottom. They have to be driven thru using a hammer and a drift or screwdriver. It's basically a wedge holding the caliper on.
drive it out how? through the same hole the allen bolt was removed? or from the inside of the caliper? you cannot see it looking forward at the caliper (like if you were looking at the tire from outside) just from behind the rotor...there is a metal piece that moved back and forth but it wont pull out and i dont see how i would hit it with anything from that type of angle.
If it is the type I think it is, the allen was holding the key from sliding laterally.
Attached is a pic of the same type, except on the front. It's the only pic I could find. After removing the allen, drive the key in the direction of the arrow, with a hammer. It likely wont be sticking out quite so far on the outside as it is on the inside of this picture. The key is the part wedged between the caliper and its mount. It has 2 half-circles cut out to line the allen up to one of them.
If this is not the type you have, sorry, but it is a 77 Lincoln type.
thank you very much! your tip helped and i got the caliper removed but came across another problem during the process...my caliper was froze and i had to buy a new one, i kind of knocked the pin out blindly and did not see how the pin and clip was placed and now do not see how to get it back together...any tips on putting it back together?
Make sure you clean& lubricate both the notches in the caliper, and the bottom knuckle where the key slides in. Use silicone lube, moly, or lithium... anything specifically for brake lube because it wont attract dirt.
The little leaf-spring goes on top of the key with the ends pointing down, so it looks like a top arch. The key goes in with the semi-circle notches downward and outward. Basically as displayed in my first picture. (Take a look at your front calipers if you need to. They should have the same setup.)
Hold the key and spring together and try to angle them in between the caliper and knuckle. You only need just enough to get them started. You'll be holding the caliper up while you do this, or it might help to pry it up from the back side. It is important to have it lined up just right or the key wont go in. Wiggling the key and spring in sometimes helps.
Anyway, once you have a corner in, persuade it the rest of the way with a hammer. It should not take undo force or something is wrong. I usually tap a little on the key and a little on the leaf to make sure they stay together.
Tap it in far eough that the key is all the way in, and line up the appropriate notch so you can put the allen bolt back in to hold the key in place. Done.
i understand the leaf spring and the key that had the allen bolt but there is also a metal clip that goes along with the setup and that is what i do not understand how to replace...also the caliper isnt seeming to place correctly
The metal clip that comes in the new kit or with the pads (or on the old pads) is an anti rattle spring which goes on the bottom of the inner brake pad backing, before you place it in the knuckle.
This clip also can double as a wear indicator. Put the clip on the pad so that the open ends are facing the rotor and the looped end is not. It has a little spring tension so slide that end in first. The knuckle's grooves must be clean and lubed where the pad goes in.
I hope this is the clip you mean.
Slide the caliper in top first and seat the top groove on the knuckle as you slide the bottom in place. Sometimes a little persuasion is necessary to get it just right. 12oz ballpeen should work (tap only, no hard hits)
Hope that helps.
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