So what did you do to your SHO today!?

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Nova

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That’s kinda funny, I did the exact same thing. But then soon after sold her old car I took over for another SHO. Unfortunately, she’s not in love with the Explorer. She thinks it’s too big. Which it kind of is, definitely designed for much larger people. Her arms don’t reach either armrest.
Oh really? My wife loves her Explorer and she's not a big girl either she's only 5'5", I'm torn between getting a mustang or a f150.

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Zpak

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Tried the F150 too, I hated it. Maybe it was the lack of creature comforts I’ve been accustom to. It was an SXT. I mean, you can get them in an F150 but I wasn’t trying to spend $70K+ on a pickup. But I honestly enjoy driving my ‘96 F150 far more than that 2023.
The height and overall size of F150’s is just ludicrous.
 

Nova

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Tried the F150 too, I hated it. Maybe it was the lack of creature comforts I’ve been accustom to. It was an SXT. I mean, you can get them in an F150 but I wasn’t trying to spend $70K+ on a pickup. But I honestly enjoy driving my ‘96 F150 far more than that 2023.
The height and overall size of F150’s is just ludicrous.
Ya I'm interested in putting a Whipple ona 4x4 f150

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Joshw0000

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What's your best tips and tricks for depressing the rear brake piston. I have one of the cheap tools that you place in and ratchet, but the piston is too far out to insert that tool. I tried a C clamp which worked some but at some point it's so tight I don't have the strength to turn it anymore. So I rigged up a homemade tool (large blunt with a slot cut in it). I can put the nut over the end of the C clamp and turn it some with a socket wrench, but even then, it's too tight. I also tried opening the bleeder valve to relieve some pressure and successfully made a mess, but made no progress on depressing the piston.

I didn't have these issues with the front brakes. They depressed easily. What am I doing wrong?

Also found this issue, which I believe contributed to yesterday's rear brake drag. At this point, I'm so frustrated I just want to get the new brakes on so I can drive it to a ship for a new right rear caliper (or rebuild) and have the rotor machined.

29ddb0f5977121ae0fde09892aac8b4d

B55e2e638332df15ba50038f25aaaeb3

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Texas Marauder

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The piston must be screwed in to retract it. The slot on the piston must line up with the nub on the brake pad. Honestly, you need a new or rebuilt caliper and new brake rotor. No one turns rotors anymore. I know some do but, as cheap as rotors are, is it really worth it?

You may be able to rent the tool from Autozone.
 

Joshw0000

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Thanks. My local shop turns them all the time. He'll machine it back smooth for cheap.

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Joshw0000

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This little guy, right?

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The lady at the desk also hooked me up with some sticky icky .

B6e711e314af3a69a5499cd0100510db



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Joshw0000

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Ok, I've got the little cube tool and I can turn it now. I get maybe a quarter turn before it slips off, so my knuckles love this tool. After many turns, it still doesn't seem to be depressing. Am I supposed to be doing something else?

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Joshw0000

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Well, you got the least effective and most fun to use tool. Press in while turning. Clockwise, IIRC.
This one?


That cube thing is . I'm going to see if I can return it. No amount of pressure (from me at least) will get that thing compressed. I'm doing good to keep it on while I turn it.

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Joshw0000

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That will work. You should be able to borrow that from Autozone.

View attachment 96206
Thanks. For the price, I'd rather have my own. Amazon is bringing it today.

I installed those Powerstops 7 years ago, so it's about time to refresh them. I've got a new full set coming (I'll replace the front next time I change those brakes).

I've watched some videos on rebuilding the piston. Gonna give it a try rather than dumping $100+ on a new caliper. Wish me luck.

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Joshw0000

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That will work. You should be able to borrow that from Autozone.

View attachment 96206
Changed my wife's oil and my RDU fluid after work. Amazon came through with the new tool.It's a game changer. It took 5 mins (4 of which was finding the right end piece and figuring out the tool) to depress the first piston. I can't believe I wasted hours last night.

Picking up the rebuild kit in the morning at O'Reilly's so I'll give that a go tomorrow. And the new rotors should be in on Friday so I can get my SHO back on the road.

Do you guys use DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid? I plan to do a full flush?

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Austin2013SHO

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My SHO was an absolute blast, I never had a single problem with her and will miss her dearly. I traded in her in with 141,000 miles in for a brand new 2025 Explorer ST-Line for my wife and took on her car for my daily driver for the time being. I put my sho almost back to stock before I let her go. So I'll have some stuff for sale in the following days/weeks. Obviously the hood and Subwoofer box will only be for sale locally because of size and weight but most other things will be listed soon.

I really appreciate all the help from everyone here to get my car to where it was and I loved every minute of it!

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Ok brother let me know when u list what parts you are letting go, I may be interested in some of them.
 

Deezuz

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My SHO was an absolute blast, I never had a single problem with her and will miss her dearly. I traded in her in with 141,000 miles in for a brand new 2025 Explorer ST-Line for my wife and took on her car for my daily driver for the time being. I put my sho almost back to stock before I let her go. So I'll have some stuff for sale in the following days/weeks. Obviously the hood and Subwoofer box will only be for sale locally because of size and weight but most other things will be listed soon.

I really appreciate all the help from everyone here to get my car to where it was and I loved every minute of it!

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What dealer is the SHO at?
 

Joshw0000

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Right rear brake piston boot / seal replaced, new caliper pins in the right/rear, new pin boots in the rear, new rear rotors (drilled/slotted), new rear brakes (front was replaced last month), and flushed the brake fluid with synthetic DOT 3 & 4.

I recently installed coilovers and new front sway bar links. I found that the front left sway bar link was almost completely loose, I could turn the nut off by hand. Either the alignment shop adjusted them and left the nut loose, or it backed itself loose, which doesn't seem likely. I'll keep an eye on it.

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