Can't Remove Caliper From Front Disc Brake Rotor

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Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Messages
109
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Location
Georgia
My Car
1971 Mustang Convertible
I have looked all over this site and have done a bunch of internet searches but I can't find a solution for my problem. I'm hoping someone on this site can point me in the right direction.

I replaced the front clip on my 71 Mustang and brought home the original left and right side of the front clip so I can strip off any usable parts. I am now in the process of removing the suspension and brakes so I can restore them. The issue I'm having is with the first, rusty front disc brake I'm trying to take off (see below). I removed all bolts from the caliper (at least I think I have) but the caliper will not release from the rotor. I have lubed the brake pads, all the caliper parts and even try to persuade it off with a mallet but it won't budge.

Can someone tell me what I may be doing wrong and can't get the caliper off? I am sure I am missing something as I can't imagine is should be this difficult to remove the caliper.

Thanks.

71 Mustang Disc Brake.jpg
 
Thanks 72conv. I included a picture of the rear of my caliper and I have already removed the caliper locating pins and the stabilizer bolts, unless I'm seeing something different. Are there any other bolts or clips I need to remove?

71 Mustang Disc Brake 2.jpg
 
Sometimes you need a pry bar. After you remove the bolts/pins, the caliper can be seized up on the rotor. Pry up at the edge. Do 1 side, then the other, then the first one, and wiggle it off like that.

Right about where this arrow is pointing.
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And in some designs, the little springy clips that hold the pads in also kind of hold the caliper in place. You can disengage the tab on the pad from the springy clips.
 
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Can someone tell me what I may be doing wrong and can't get the caliper off? I am sure I am missing something as I can't imagine is should be this difficult to remove the caliper.
Might want to depress the caliper first and then pry it. A flat screwdriver in the top oval hole works too ...
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It is possible that the caliper has rust behind the piston and it won’t release. If so it is probably trash maybe they will take it as a core.

Also the semi metallic brake pads can rust to the rotor. Try hitting the back of the caliper with a rubber faced dead blow hammer.
 
Looks to me like it is being held in place by the heavy rust. I have never heard of using molasses and water, but I would try it AFTER I try soaking it in white vinegar. I have used white vinegar to remove rust. I would try placing the assembly in a 5 gallon bucket. Submersing it in white vinegar for three to four days to loosen the rust. Then use a soft blow hammer in combination with prybars.
 
Looks to me like it is being held in place by the heavy rust. I have never heard of using molasses and water, but I would try it AFTER I try soaking it in white vinegar. I have used white vinegar to remove rust. I would try placing the assembly in a 5 gallon bucket. Submersing it in white vinegar for three to four days to loosen the rust. Then use a soft blow hammer in combination with prybars.
Molasses works, but is slow. There are videos on the youtube of people soaking entire car bodies in molasses to strip rust. They take a couple weeks.

You can go to harbor freight or oreileys and buy a jug of evaporust to soak your parts in and they are rust free after 24 hours.
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I would try the c clamp that was suggested. If the piston backs into the caliper, you should be able to get it off then tap the pads with a ball peen hammer. The shock of the hammer blows should break the pads loose.
 
Evaporust? Saw that for the first time yesterday and now the comment here. Maybe there's something to it. Never really tried much other than naval jelly or elbow grease before. I'm actually media blasting now so, that might just be an option for things.
I got here late otherwise would have added that the best removal tool in the toolbox, a BFH, works great and you scrub off a little frustration at the same time. That is, until you miss swing and hit your fingers.
 
Evaporust? Saw that for the first time yesterday and now the comment here. Maybe there's something to it. Never really tried much other than naval jelly or elbow grease before. I'm actually media blasting now so, that might just be an option for things.
I got here late otherwise would have added that the best removal tool in the toolbox, a BFH, works great and you scrub off a little frustration at the same time. That is, until you miss swing and hit your fingers.
Its sold in harbor freight and oreiley auto parts stores here. It really is amazing stuff. I've had bolts that were rusted so bad they needed penetrating oil to get loose. Soak them in evaporust and they look brand new the next day. No scrubbing. I just wipe them off with blue paper towells.

The really crusty stuff like this takes a couple days and doesn't look brand new. But it does clean up to something you wouldn't feel bad reusing.
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