Brakes: I almost died.
#1
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yuma, AZ
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Brakes: I almost died.
I almost died on the way home today. I was doing about 75-80 mph in the fast lane (on the freeway), and i started to feel something weird in the front suspension. So i let off the gas and i started hearing like a "clank, clank, clank." I started hiting the brakes and the truck jumped sideways and i came close to hitting a couple cars. Anyways i got it slowed down, and nursed it home. I had to have constant pressure on the brake pedal for the noise not to happen. So i got home, took the wheel off and i found that one of the caliper bracket bolts had fell out and alowed the caliper to fall down onto the rotor. Anyways, i got it fixed and it's ready to drive to work tomorrow. :)
#8
#9
be sure to use plenty of locktite after each brake job
No amount of Loctite will prevent this if the bolts are not properly torqued! Many years specify 85 lb-ft on the short, thick caliper mount bolts but check the correct year Ranger shop manual to be sure. This is MUCH higher than what most people are likely to do by "feel".
Notice that the caliper bolt loss never happens until AFTER a Ranger has had brake work or some other work that requires the caliper bolts to be removed. The factory torques them properly using a small amount of dry threadlocker applied to each bolt. Best practice is to replace the bolts new each time they are removed although I have sometimes used a drop of blue Loctite on each instead.
If you don't have a torque wrench or don't want to consult a shop manual, do yourself a favor and don't work on anything as important as your brakes.
#10
Yes, you really need to torque it properly and use loctite. I lost a caliper bolt on the highway after I let someone work on the front of my Ranger. I also found that I had a few loose lug nuts since they didn't torque anything.
I have replaced brakes without loctite as well (I think on the explorer) and never had a problem, but I did torque them to spec.
I have replaced brakes without loctite as well (I think on the explorer) and never had a problem, but I did torque them to spec.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yuma, AZ
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#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I've said this many times before and I'll say it again.
No amount of Loctite will prevent this if the bolts are not properly torqued! Many years specify 85 lb-ft on the short, thick caliper mount bolts but check the correct year Ranger shop manual to be sure. This is MUCH higher than what most people are likely to do by "feel".
Notice that the caliper bolt loss never happens until AFTER a Ranger has had brake work or some other work that requires the caliper bolts to be removed. The factory torques them properly using a small amount of dry threadlocker applied to each bolt. Best practice is to replace the bolts new each time they are removed although I have sometimes used a drop of blue Loctite on each instead.
If you don't have a torque wrench or don't want to consult a shop manual, do yourself a favor and don't work on anything as important as your brakes.
No amount of Loctite will prevent this if the bolts are not properly torqued! Many years specify 85 lb-ft on the short, thick caliper mount bolts but check the correct year Ranger shop manual to be sure. This is MUCH higher than what most people are likely to do by "feel".
Notice that the caliper bolt loss never happens until AFTER a Ranger has had brake work or some other work that requires the caliper bolts to be removed. The factory torques them properly using a small amount of dry threadlocker applied to each bolt. Best practice is to replace the bolts new each time they are removed although I have sometimes used a drop of blue Loctite on each instead.
If you don't have a torque wrench or don't want to consult a shop manual, do yourself a favor and don't work on anything as important as your brakes.
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#18
Bob that looks terrible! Obviously you lost the same caliper bolt that I did, causing the caliper to try and dig into the wheel.
If the original poster could keep pressure on the brakes and keep on driving, he is lucky that he lost that bolt instead of the other.
#19
if you know what your doing than youre fine...i have gotten into the habit of using torque sticks lately
#20
Your what 18 ish? Atleast thats what It looks like from your pic. When you have 10 plus years experience as a mechanic, then you can say that you know what your doing. Before that happens, use a torque wrench
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