phils89sc
Registered User
First, it was a little more than just a caliper swap, since I had an 89, I had to swap into 93-97 spindles. So, after inspecting a little closer, I found that I needed lower control arms as well, (uppers are new), so I purchased a new set of Moog control arms, left and right front lowers. This project took me all day, but I wanted to make sure I did everything right. I loaded the suspension during reinstallation of the control arms, struts, etc. I used new bushings for the strut rods where they go through the control arms.
Anyway, I loaded up my 99 GT PBR calipers with new brake pads and hardware kit. I installed new Raybestos front brake hoses as well, might as well cover everything right?
On the drivers side, I had to modify the PBR caliper near the boss near the forward facing caliper slide. I had to grind off some of the material on the caliper there where it comes close to the spindle. Other than that, the new brake line with the course thread Thunderbird banjo bolt bolted right up.
On the passenger side, I had to go a little further with the caliper. I had to grind down the same boss near where the caliper meets, plus raised area near where the brake line bolt to the caliper. This allowed for me to bolt up the Tbird brake line, but the weird thing was I had to use the Mustang banjo bolt on this side because the thunderbird one was course thread where the caliper was fine thread (different from the other side), so the only thing I can think of is that these calipers (which I bought used), but be from different Mustangs (year / model).
Anyway, after grinding on the caliper, I got everything bolted up, had my wife work the break pedal so I could bleed the front brakes. Everything worked well, and I went for the test drive. The car rides like new! No more rattles and noises coming from the front, and the braking was very nice, smooth and powerful....until I pulled into my driveway. I pulled into my drive way and the brake and ABS lights come on and stay on. I still have brakes, but they feel kind of stiff.
I also could not hear the ABS pump motor running, but it had to have been because the pedal was not super stiff.
Do I need to bleed the rears as well? Could my pump motor be shot?
Oh, and another thing. I could not hook up my ABS sensors from my 89 to the 93 spindles. They simply would not fit in the hole! I found this odd because I have done this spindle sway before on another SC I had and the 89 sensors fit in the holes on the 93 spindles, they were just a little short. What gives?
Anyway, I loaded up my 99 GT PBR calipers with new brake pads and hardware kit. I installed new Raybestos front brake hoses as well, might as well cover everything right?
On the drivers side, I had to modify the PBR caliper near the boss near the forward facing caliper slide. I had to grind off some of the material on the caliper there where it comes close to the spindle. Other than that, the new brake line with the course thread Thunderbird banjo bolt bolted right up.
On the passenger side, I had to go a little further with the caliper. I had to grind down the same boss near where the caliper meets, plus raised area near where the brake line bolt to the caliper. This allowed for me to bolt up the Tbird brake line, but the weird thing was I had to use the Mustang banjo bolt on this side because the thunderbird one was course thread where the caliper was fine thread (different from the other side), so the only thing I can think of is that these calipers (which I bought used), but be from different Mustangs (year / model).
Anyway, after grinding on the caliper, I got everything bolted up, had my wife work the break pedal so I could bleed the front brakes. Everything worked well, and I went for the test drive. The car rides like new! No more rattles and noises coming from the front, and the braking was very nice, smooth and powerful....until I pulled into my driveway. I pulled into my drive way and the brake and ABS lights come on and stay on. I still have brakes, but they feel kind of stiff.
I also could not hear the ABS pump motor running, but it had to have been because the pedal was not super stiff.
Do I need to bleed the rears as well? Could my pump motor be shot?
Oh, and another thing. I could not hook up my ABS sensors from my 89 to the 93 spindles. They simply would not fit in the hole! I found this odd because I have done this spindle sway before on another SC I had and the 89 sensors fit in the holes on the 93 spindles, they were just a little short. What gives?