Big mistake with rear brake job!

MattVT
Oct 19, 2025

MattVT

Sun at 8:26 pm

So decided to do my rear brake pads myself to save a little money, however i think i just cost my self a lot more money.

I was having trouble getting my Bronco into brake maintenance mode. Apparently its not un common to have that issue and I found a official Ford TSB showing how to manually un-wind the caliper. You take actuator off, then you turn the Torx screw on the caliper 360 degrees, well I misunderstood one thing. Once you turn it 360 degree clockwise, you can then use a tool to compress the piston. I for some reason thought that you had to turn 360 degrees until the piston starts to spin back into the caliper allowing room to install new pads.

This is where I admit, I got really stupid..

I kept turning it thinking why isn't this working? So then I started turning it counter clockwise to see if maybe I misread the instructions..
Well when that didn't work I pretty much gave up and started trying to put every back together, but now the actuator doesn't sit flush with the caliper and the parking brake doesn't work on the side that I worked on. I assume maybe the actuator needs reset? I was also getting a park brake fault message, until I dropped it off that is. Once at the dealership the message went away.

I'm hoping the dealership finds that everything is fine and that they can proceed with the brake job without a new caliper. If not that's my fault and ill pay to be stupid..
the poacher, Deano Bronc

Fun Enthusiast

Mon at 2:35 am

#1
I appreciate that you let us know so at the very least we can avoid doing this. Im hoping it’s fine though and your caliper is still good.
the poacher, Deano Bronc

Gladesmen

Mon at 4:00 am

#2
Hope it all works out without issues. Thanks for sharing.
Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery
the poacher, Deano Bronc

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