Ford Repair: rear brakes, rear brakes, caliper

Question
Steve, How do you get the caliper on the rear brakes on a 97 thunderbird to retract? I tried a clamp but it won"t budge so the new pads will fit in.

                Don

Answer
Don-

  You'd be amazed how often this question comes up.  Unlike your front discs, your rear discs use a screw-in caliper.  On the tip of the caliper there should be a little square sticking out (or some surface on the caliper to grip firmly...it can vary between models and years) and you'll need a special little ratchet attachment to screw the piston back in.  They run around $10 or less if memory serves me and are available at virtually any parts store.  Hope this helps.

Steve