Anyone knowledgeable on 2008 ford escapes?

Joined
Mar 5, 2024
Messages
43
So I am trying to do the brakes on a 2008 Ford escape, I bought maybe $100 worth of tools and not a single one will fit in the hole .

I'm not too great on knowing sizes of hex bolts and I can't find anything that will fit .
I'll include photos of the pins for the caliper.
I'm not sure how well it shows

My camera isn't the best.

IMG_20240710_172328582_01.webp


IMG_20240710_171531142.webp
 
On my 2008 Ford Escape one side is a 7mm the other side is a 9mm but that’s because both calipers have been replaced. When I took the factory ones off both sides were 9mm hex. Probably the one size that your set skips. I had to buy mine individually the only place that had it locally was O’Reilly Auto Parts that same day.
 
I've been trying to find the right tool for two weeks now. Sucks cause the only person I know that has the tools I would need moved away and I don't know how to get ahold of him.

Being told by another friend I'd need a 3/8 all's I know is it's getting repetitive.
But heck least I have new tools. None I can use for this job though
 
So I am trying to do the brakes on a 2008 Ford escape, I bought maybe $100 worth of tools and not a single one will fit in the hole .

I'm not too great on knowing sizes of hex bolts and I can't find anything that will fit .
I'll include photos of the pins for the caliper.
I'm not sure how well it shows

My camera isn't the best.

View attachment 231261

View attachment 231263
So I painted the Inside of the pin put this impact hex inside this is a 3/8 I need one smaller

17214973007145366833906556895999.webp


17214973256397353983470963923224.webp
 
Most likely a 9mm then unless it’s been replaced with an 8mm or 7mm. Because the 9mm is smaller than 3/8.
I tried to ask the auto part store I know they sell the caliper pins they could of been more useful .
Car is in rough shape on my way back to the store to get different tools. .
Do I need metric or standard? Someone I know is confusing me he's supposed to be an auto mechanic but hasn't been so helpful.
 
I tried to ask the auto part store I know they sell the caliper pins they could of been more useful .
Car is in rough shape on my way back to the store to get different tools. .
Do I need metric or standard? Someone I know is confusing me he's supposed to be an auto mechanic but hasn't been so helpful.
It is metric but you might find a standard size that works because some are interchangeable. 9mm=11/32 which your more likely to find the 9mm locally than the 11/32. They were 9mm from the factory but if they have been replaced then they could be a 7mm. Try a 5/16 or 8mm hex in the pin if it’s too big you should have a 7mm that you need if it’s too small you need the 9mm.
 
I tried to ask the auto part store I know they sell the caliper pins they could of been more useful .
Car is in rough shape on my way back to the store to get different tools. .
Do I need metric or standard? Someone I know is confusing me he's supposed to be an auto mechanic but hasn't been so helpful.

If the parts are factory, it should be 9mm.

However, at any point in that car's life those parts may have been swapped. Meaning, it could be 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, or even 5/16, etc. Have even seen some that were torx.

Does 9mm not fit? 9mm is just a tick smaller than a 3/8

Quick and dirty conversion chart below might give you some idea on which way to go

If you're really desperate, you can fill the allen head bolt with putty/playdough/jb weld to get a reverse image and then put a set of calipers on it. (Assuming you can't gain access with a set of calipers on the bolt itself. ) Just be sure to wax or grease the inside of the bolt head and anywhere else you don't want it to stick before doing that.

Screenshot_20240720_144045_Photos.jpg
 
Last edited:
On my 2008 Ford Escape one side is a 7mm the other side is a 9mm but that’s because both calipers have been replaced. When I took the factory ones off both sides were 9mm hex. Probably the one size that your set skips. I had to buy mine individually the only place that had it locally was O’Reilly Auto Parts that same day.
I know this is a ford that was supposed to be recalled . Due to power steering issues. But I'm use to it .
I went to O'Reilly's they were useless, I bought two sets of hex and metric bits and none fit . They were to short .
Went to Menards, they don't have any of the longer ones , so I went to a place called harbor freight twice , they have the right size tools (perves) (no? Maybe just my dirty mind) as far as length goes .
The first set of tools I bought from them I believe the one I needed was missing off the returned set I bought.

So today I bought different ones , I believe one will work if not imma make it work . Even if I have to sand down one of the tools to the right size .

Once all is said and done I'll probably have to change the back brakes too .
Pretty sure there is nothing left to either rotors or brakes .
 
I know this is a ford that was supposed to be recalled . Due to power steering issues. But I'm use to it .
I went to O'Reilly's they were useless, I bought two sets of hex and metric bits and none fit . They were to short .
Went to Menards, they don't have any of the longer ones , so I went to a place called harbor freight twice , they have the right size tools (perves) (no? Maybe just my dirty mind) as far as length goes .
The first set of tools I bought from them I believe the one I needed was missing off the returned set I bought.

So today I bought different ones , I believe one will work if not imma make it work . Even if I have to sand down one of the tools to the right size .

Once all is said and done I'll probably have to change the back brakes too .
Pretty sure there is nothing left to either rotors or brakes .
Haha. Hope you find one that works. I have drums on the rear of mine so I have no idea what size they would be on the back if you have disks.
 
If the parts are factory, it should be 9mm.

However, at any point in that car's life those parts may have been swapped. Meaning, it could be 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, or even 5/16, etc. Have even seen some that were torx.

Does 9mm not fit? 9mm is just a tick smaller than a 3/8

Quick and dirty conversion chart below might give you some idea on which way to go

If you're really desperate, you can fill the allen head bolt with putty/playdough/jb weld to get a reverse image and then put a set of calipers on it. (Assuming you can't gain access with a set of calipers on the bolt itself. ) Just be sure to wax or grease the inside of the bolt head and anywhere else you don't want it to stick before doing that.

View attachment 231301
Thanks for the chart . It'll help a lot . I hope to God I'm able to do this tomorrow it's been two weeks already.

I'm stubborn, it will cost more for a mechanic to do this for me than me doing it myself.
And that's why I've got you guys.

I know photos aren't very helpful would video be better? Maybe to use something to get a estimate .

I've no idea what's been replaced on this car all's I know is I've got to look out for wood rot and termites .

The rear end was replaced with wood, cause it rusted out .
I'll
So I am trying to do the brakes on a 2008 Ford escape, I bought maybe $100 worth of tools and not a single one will fit in the hole .

I'm not too great on knowing sizes of hex bolts and I can't find anything that will fit .
I'll include photos of the pins for the caliper.
I'm not sure how well it shows

My camera isn't the best.

View attachment 231261

View attachment 231263
So I am thinking this car should be retired. Rotor's are almost gone . The back end is basically made out of wood . The muffler is none existent.
I can't bloody find the right tool to even take the caliper off .

IMG_20240721_070745093.webp


IMG_20240721_070738179.webp


IMG_20240721_070330394.webp
 
Haha. Hope you find one that works. I have drums on the rear of mine so I have no idea what size they would be on the back if you have disks.
I have drums on mine as well . Or I do believe.
Bloody Fords suck. Last one I worked on had to take out the transmission, put a new flywheel in and replace the starter.

Sold it for $15,000 it was nice but always loved Mazda. And not many people be selling those . Seen one on Facebook for $800 without title.
And the owner refused to go down to the DMV to apply for a new one . Cause she wasn't supposed to drive . Guessing to many DWIs
 
Fords give good business to the fastener market, because they'll use every single possible one under the sun to make your life miserable enough that you have to take it to the shop. And it's not consistent, so you better have a complete set of quality tools.

With Toyota, you know it's 14mm socket/wrench for caliper boot bolts and 17 for the caliper bracket. And Harbor Freight might be aware of that, because their barebones Pittsburgh impact socket sets has everything for a Japanese car repair but not American vehicles.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom