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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Farid on September 11, 2012, 07:28:11 AM

Title: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Farid on September 11, 2012, 07:28:11 AM
Hi Folks:
I am trying to reassemble the front caliper on a 78 pinto.  I have the pads in right place, however, I do not know how to put the caliper onto the supporting piece that is attached to the back end of the hub, because there are two pieces (as shown in the picture) that have to go in between the caliper and the supporting bracket.  While I can easily slide the part shown on the top of the picture, I cannot figure out how to put the other piece (which has a slight bent to it, so it stops rattling of the parts), in between.

Does anyone has a manual that could be scanned to show me how to reassemble this damn caliper?!

Your help is much appreciated in advance!
Regards,
Farid
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Pinto5.0 on September 11, 2012, 07:55:41 AM
That metal part goes on the opposite side from the half moon cutouts. You will be able to slide it about 1/4" or so into place then tap it with a hammer & it will slide right in. Line up the half moon notch & install the retaining bolt.
 
A little never seize helps keep everything from rusting together down the road.
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Farid on September 11, 2012, 03:18:32 PM
Thank you for your reply.  However, looking at the attched diagram, how can I possibly insert the pre-cambered piece in such a small gap?
Do you happen to have a diagram from a shop manual that could help me?
Rergards,
Farid
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: r4pinto on September 11, 2012, 03:24:31 PM
On the original picture there is the top part & the "pre-cambered" piece as well. What you will need to do is remove the top part. There is a "track" where the pre-cambered piece will sit. It needs to be tapped in place on the caliper as an assembly. If you do not you won't get it in.

Unfortunately the shop manuals do not have a diagram of this, but it will work.
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: r4pinto on September 11, 2012, 03:26:12 PM
Another suggestion. If you have not taken the other side apart yet take the wheel off & remove the screw. Now, don't remove the other part completely but tap it out about 1/4 to 1/2 way. That will give you a perfect view of how it goes out. Then what you can do is tap it back in to see what Pinto5.0 & myself are referring to.
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Pinto5.0 on September 11, 2012, 04:02:35 PM
Yeah, the cambered piece goes on top. Try tapping the caliper with a rubber mallet to seat the top part better & you will see the gap open up to slide the pieces in place. Trust us, it fits.
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Farid on September 12, 2012, 07:50:31 AM
OK - thanks for you suggestions.  I will attack it tonight , after work.
By the way, the whole assembly is on my work-bench!

Another stupid thing that I have found about the design of the brake system is that when you want to hook up the brake (rubber hydraulic line) to the caliper, there is no way to turn the brass female end of the hose that connects to the caliper, and that you have to keep rotating the entire brake assembly (which is difficult due to lack of space) to fit the line to it.
Is there any easier way, or like the other part, it is a flawed design?!
Thanks again for your time folks!
Farid
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Pinto5.0 on September 12, 2012, 08:06:27 AM
If you disconnect it at the brake line you can spin it in easier but I've done it your way before.
 
Also after you tap the caliper tight into the upper seat try lifting the bottom slightly off the brake rotor to get your gap opened up. Trying to describe this is frustrating since if I lived close I could show you in less time than it took to type this out LOL......
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: r4pinto on September 12, 2012, 08:55:48 AM
OK - thanks for you suggestions.  I will attack it tonight , after work.
By the way, the whole assembly is on my work-bench!

Another stupid thing that I have found about the design of the brake system is that when you want to hook up the brake (rubber hydraulic line) to the caliper, there is no way to turn the brass female end of the hose that connects to the caliper, and that you have to keep rotating the entire brake assembly (which is difficult due to lack of space) to fit the line to it.
Is there any easier way, or like the other part, it is a flawed design?!
Thanks again for your time folks!
Farid

Best thing I could recommend is to go ahead & unscrew the hose from the line to make it easier to install on the caliper.
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Farid on September 12, 2012, 11:22:22 AM
OK!
Many thanks pals - I will go to work on it tonight and let you know how it goes.
Cheers,
farid
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Farid on September 13, 2012, 06:35:03 AM
Thank ytou very much for your help folks!
It is amazing how easy a process become when you understand the process.  It took me 15 seconds to put the assembly together.
Thanks again!
Farid
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: r4pinto on September 13, 2012, 07:31:21 AM
 ;D  Glad to help! Nice job!
Title: Re: Help for assembling front caliper 78 Pinto
Post by: Pinto5.0 on September 13, 2012, 08:42:58 AM
Glad to help.