piston setting tool - difficult access

S

sawdustcaeser

New Member
i'm having real difficulty locating the tool onto the piston due to restricted access. the drivers side caliper will not move towards the centre as far as the passenger side does making it difficult to get the tool in. also, am i going to have to remove the exhaust box on the passenger side to get access. i had a devil of a job extracting the old driver side inner pad due to the brake hose. any hints?
 
It's easier to remove the silencer than struggle around it. Have you removed the discs? Again, far easier to do this if you haven't. 4 bolts each side, jack the car up from the back-block to allow the 1/2shafts to drop & dangle & off come the discs. Much better access.
 
Taking off the half shafts and discs like the rovering member says is a good .

I gather you are using one of the girling ratchet tools. This is quite a good example of why them aren't good value for money. If you need to take the disc off then it is really easy to wind back the piston with a scew driver or the likes.

I have reversed the car on to ramps and lay under the car, took a bit of time but found working directly under them a ok although the old arms got a bit tired. if you are using the tool you may be able to get in this way, even jack the car up slighty when on the ramp may help at this takes the weight off the springs and gives you a bit more space to work.

Hope this helps

Colin
 
thanks. i have the car up on axel stands so i think i'll try taking off the discs monday. the cars a wreck, you have to start somewhere!!
 
I found it a lot easier to undo the 3 bolts holding the diff to the rear support member and carefully lower the diff assembly a few inches on a trolley jack. Keep an eye on the rubber brake hose, if if stretchs , undo the nut retaining the metal pipe to it's U shaped bracket - it will slip out without disconnecting the hose
Dave
1973 3500S
 
I found it a lot easier to undo the 3 bolts holding the diff to the rear support member and carefully lower the diff assembly a few inches on a trolley jack. Keep an eye on the rubber brake hose, if if stretchs , undo the nut retaining the metal pipe to it's U shaped bracket - it will slip out without disconnecting the hose
Dave
1973 3500S
 
The quickest way overall is to remove the calipers.Give everything a good clean and check for proper operation of the handbrake mechanism.Replace and refill with new fluid and bleed. A good idea is to check the flexible hose as well. No need to remove the discs or drop the diff and the job should be finished with for forty thousand miles. Best of luck and dont be frightened of it, one step at a time.
 
I prefer dropping the final drive with the rear support bracket attached as I believe that the three special bolts are supposed to distort the plate so that they don't shake loose.

If you remove those three bolts, find some super strength Locktite to ensure the special bolts don't shake loose.

It's safer to remove the half-shafts and then the discs so you can change the pads. I ripped off that folded metal bit that locates the piston cup assembly to the pad when I used the hooked coat hanger/screwdriver method of turning back the piston cup with everything attached.

Eric
 
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