Vanco 16" Caliper Replacement

Georgia Jeff

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Dec 3, 2018
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I recently installed the Vanco 16" brake kit. I had issues bleeding it and assumed I bench bled it wrong. After a few shots of that using the plugged method I found a leak at the metal line on the passenger side. The fittings were super rusty so I ordered all new metal lines. Those are now installed but still having issues and found the passenger side bleeder screw leaking now. Didn't see it leaking initially so I'm guessing that during my troubleshooting and numerous attempts to bleed it that I just screwed up the threads. Either way, I need to replace the caliper now. I thought I'd read they were off like 2001 to 2004 Explorers but the ones at Autozone didn't match up. Anyone know where to source the caliper? If not I'll call MrBlaine. Just figured it would be easier to pick up local and get this dang thing back on the road finally.
 
Sorry, I don't know - but someone here will. MrBlaine will know.
 
I believe getting them from a 2005 Explorer Sport trac will get you to the right part. Check with Blaine though, he will confirm for sure.
 
I recently installed the Vanco 16" brake kit. I had issues bleeding it and assumed I bench bled it wrong. After a few shots of that using the plugged method I found a leak at the metal line on the passenger side. The fittings were super rusty so I ordered all new metal lines. Those are now installed but still having issues and found the passenger side bleeder screw leaking now. Didn't see it leaking initially so I'm guessing that during my troubleshooting and numerous attempts to bleed it that I just screwed up the threads. Either way, I need to replace the caliper now. I thought I'd read they were off like 2001 to 2004 Explorers but the ones at Autozone didn't match up. Anyone know where to source the caliper? If not I'll call MrBlaine. Just figured it would be easier to pick up local and get this dang thing back on the road finally.
2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac front caliper. Should just need a 3/8-24 bleed screw.
 
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Kind of off topic, but do you have a trick for extracting snapped off bleeder screws in calipers? Had one seize from corrosion and snap clean off. The last time I tried to extract one I snapped off the entire extractor in the caliper and ended up just replacing the caliper.
 
I recently installed the Vanco 16" brake kit. I had issues bleeding it and assumed I bench bled it wrong. After a few shots of that using the plugged method I found a leak at the metal line on the passenger side. The fittings were super rusty so I ordered all new metal lines. Those are now installed but still having issues and found the passenger side bleeder screw leaking now. Didn't see it leaking initially so I'm guessing that during my troubleshooting and numerous attempts to bleed it that I just screwed up the threads. Either way, I need to replace the caliper now. I thought I'd read they were off like 2001 to 2004 Explorers but the ones at Autozone didn't match up. Anyone know where to source the caliper? If not I'll call MrBlaine. Just figured it would be easier to pick up local and get this dang thing back on the road finally.
HOLD ON! Does your bench bleeding comment refer to the new included master or the old one? If new, then you installed the Super 16" kit and that takes an 08 Ram 1500 front caliper. 16" is the 833 pad, Super 16" is the 1084 pad.
 
Kind of off topic, but do you have a trick for extracting snapped off bleeder screws in calipers? Had one seize from corrosion and snap clean off. The last time I tried to extract one I snapped off the entire extractor in the caliper and ended up just replacing the caliper.
I've done it with a square extractor just tapped in. But it wasn't snapped due to corrosion, it was overtightened and snapped. Corrosion might be another issue altogether.
 
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HOLD ON! Does your bench bleeding comment refer to the new included master or the old one? If new, then you installed the Super 16" kit and that takes an 08 Ram 1500 front caliper. 16" is the 833 pad, Super 16" is the 1084 pad.
Yes. Order confirmation says "VANCO Super 16" Big Brake Kit w/Master"
 
New caliper is on and all is right with the world. Kit is not really that hard to put on. It was just amateur hour over here for a few days. The only tip I'll give others is don't do this in a gravel driveway. I feel like a muscle car guy now. Except instead of showing off by doing a burn out, I show off by locking my 35's up.
 
New caliper is on and all is right with the world. Kit is not really that hard to put on. It was just amateur hour over here for a few days. The only tip I'll give others is don't do this in a gravel driveway. I feel like a muscle car guy now. Except instead of showing off by doing a burn out, I show off by locking my 35's up.
Add in a Jegs line lock and a Teraflex 2Low kit and you could do a (super slow) burnout!