Guys, I am changing my front brake pads on the Formula. The new pads dont fit. The inside pad has plenty of room, but the outside pad will not fit. About 1/4 inch too much pad at least. They are AutoZone pads, and when stacked next to the old, worn out pads and the new ones are not that much thicker, just look like a new pad should.... what could I be doing wrong?? This is my 4th Fiero, but my first 88.
Are the sliders free so you can move the caliper to balance any free space between the two sides?
Sometimes the nubs on the backside of the pads do not seat properly in the bridge or front piston. If that is the case, just grind all the nubs flush (they are only needed on the rear pad on the piston side of the caliper).
Also, the Pontiac 6000 caliper used a similar, but narrower bridge than the 88 Fiero. The bridge will bolt onto the 88 caliper, but not be wide enough for the 88 Fiero pads. Could be a rebuilder swapped bridges and the previous owner made it work by grinding down the new pads before install.
[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 10-03-2014).]
If by sliders you mean the pins at the top of the pads, yes they move good. The problem I have, is that yes the piston is flush, the pads are seated very good, but with the caliper mounted, the outside pad just will not fit. I also removed the caliper and installed the pads, then tried to mount the caliper; not happening. With pads installed, the outside pad will not let the caliper far enough inboard to bolt up. As for them being a different caliper? Very possible, as I don't know the previous owners at all, and the last one did not seem very sharp. As I said, this is my first 88, so I thought I may be doing something wrong. I believe I will pick up a new (reman) caliper at work (AutoZone) on Monday.
i was searching through this forum and found a guy bought rebuilt calipers and 1 side was different from the other side and he couldnt get the pads in as well. so it might be the wrong caliper. just compare it to the other side. he showed it was easy to see the difference.
[This message has been edited by Alex.07.86GT (edited 10-03-2014).]
If crap has built up in the bore then pistons can't return and can have this problem.
edit to fit can/can't and add> Front and back are easy to see after compressing piston. If piston dust boot is not flat after compressing then piston is blocked. Not sure? just look at a new seal/boot for rebuild kit.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
If by sliders you mean the pins at the top of the pads, yes they move good. The problem I have, is that yes the piston is flush, the pads are seated very good, but with the caliper mounted, the outside pad just will not fit. I also removed the caliper and installed the pads, then tried to mount the caliper; not happening. With pads installed, the outside pad will not let the caliper far enough inboard to bolt up. As for them being a different caliper? Very possible, as I don't know the previous owners at all, and the last one did not seem very sharp. As I said, this is my first 88, so I thought I may be doing something wrong. I believe I will pick up a new (reman) caliper at work (AutoZone) on Monday.
Thanks guys.
The sliders are the 2 shafts where the mounting bolts attach the caliper to the upright. There should be rubber boots on both sides and a bolt through the center of each.
If you could post a closeup picture of the caliper, the retracted piston, and how the pads are mounted, many of us could tell you what the issue is. You could also email the pictures to me at fieroguru@lycos.com and I can get back to you later this evening.
If your old pads are not worn to the same thickness your slider pins are frozen (very common in 88') .With the caliper mounted without the pads installed you should be able to move the entire caliper in and out.
You can take the calipers off, put them in a vice and knock the sliders loose and completely remove them (push them through the boot). Then clean up the oxidation, lube them with grease and slide them back in place with the boots installed (helps to put an A/C o-ring to cover the groove so it will pass through the boot easier). I can do it in under 30 minutes per caliper.
I doubt anyone local to you will have 88 calipers in stock, so you will be looking at a couple of days to get a rebuilt one.
