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Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 49
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 6
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Automatic
I'm trying to replace the wheel cylinder on the right rear wheel of my '94 XLT 2-wheel drive. When I tried to remove the two bolts that mount it to the backing plate, I found out that the bolts have odd-size heads - 9mm socket is too small and 10 mm is too big. 3/8" is also a little too bid (feels like it would round the corners off if I applied the force it's probably going to take to get the bolts off) and 11/32" is too small.
The closest I've come to a solution so far is the local Sears store, which suggested I try a 3/8" universal socket (it was only $2.00, so I figured I'd give it a try) - which turned out to be a little too big as well. A local hardware store also offered to special order a 23/64" socket (I didn't know they made this size). This doesn't look like a job for vice grips - the indentation on the backside of the backing plate would prevent a good grip and it looks like another risk at rounding off the corners. Any suggestions would be welcome - so far it looks like the best tool would be a 3/8" drive breaker bar with an exact fit socket (maybe the 23/64") and some careful turning to avoid damaging the bolts.
Also, looking ahead to disconnecting the brake line from the wheel cylinder, I'm running into the same problem with combination wrenches: 9mm too small, 10mm too big; 3/8" a little too big (like it could also round the corners) and a 5/16" is too small (I haven't tried a 11/32" wrench yet - don't have one). This part looks like it would be easier to damage than the wheel cylinder bolts - two fittings - larger one connected directly to the wheel cylinder. Haynes manual doesn't offer much help - "Disconnect the brake line (see illustration). Don't pull the brake line away from the wheel cylinder"
Any suggestions are welcome - it looks like the fittings and/or brake line could be damaged without the right tool and some careful turning.
The closest I've come to a solution so far is the local Sears store, which suggested I try a 3/8" universal socket (it was only $2.00, so I figured I'd give it a try) - which turned out to be a little too big as well. A local hardware store also offered to special order a 23/64" socket (I didn't know they made this size). This doesn't look like a job for vice grips - the indentation on the backside of the backing plate would prevent a good grip and it looks like another risk at rounding off the corners. Any suggestions would be welcome - so far it looks like the best tool would be a 3/8" drive breaker bar with an exact fit socket (maybe the 23/64") and some careful turning to avoid damaging the bolts.
Also, looking ahead to disconnecting the brake line from the wheel cylinder, I'm running into the same problem with combination wrenches: 9mm too small, 10mm too big; 3/8" a little too big (like it could also round the corners) and a 5/16" is too small (I haven't tried a 11/32" wrench yet - don't have one). This part looks like it would be easier to damage than the wheel cylinder bolts - two fittings - larger one connected directly to the wheel cylinder. Haynes manual doesn't offer much help - "Disconnect the brake line (see illustration). Don't pull the brake line away from the wheel cylinder"
Any suggestions are welcome - it looks like the fittings and/or brake line could be damaged without the right tool and some careful turning.
