Is this right??

[Walden Sander]

I just purchased a 1988 ford ranger as my first vehicle, while looking under my truck I noticed that these two pins were sticking out of my front calipers and I thought that seemed wrong. What are these pins, is is safe to drive like this. Do I just hammer them in? Thank you.

 

[adsm08]

Those are the caliper slide pins. They should not stick back that far. You can just hammer them in, but I'd have the wheel off to see the other side.

 

[Walden Sander]

Thank you, i figured it shouldn’t be like that.

 

[19Walt93]

If they came out once I'd replace them, it's cheap insurance.

 

[Walden Sander]

That’s a good idea, better safe than sorry.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Replace them.

I had one come out on my 87. They make some real bad noises.

 

[SenorNoob]

Definitely replace 'em. They'll just keep falling out...

The rubber in the middle is probably worn out.

 

[tinman_72]

I replaced mine with Autozone parts last time I did my brakes. Just this past weekend I found one sticking out towards the rotor. When I pulled them out and tried to reseat them the little "nubs" that hold them in are too small to do any retaining.
I told a friend about it and he said he knows a guy that the same thing happened to just a couple weeks ago (on an F-150, same pin design.) He had just replaced his with Autozone parts, as well.
Interestingly enough, if you look for them on Autozone's website they are not even available. I wonder if they got in trouble over it.
I parked the Ranger and ordered a set of Motorcraft pins from RockAuto, which came in today. They look heavy-duty compared to the parts store crap. Wherever you end up getting new ones, compare them with your old ones. If they look thin and the nubs are tiny don't install them. You don't want to cheap out on your brakes.

 

[tinman_72]

Look at how thin the metal is on the aftermarket piece. They are so thin that they bent just from installing them, contributing to the lack of retention. Autozone to the left, Motorcraft on the right:

 

[bobbywalter]

I just bend the cheap ones out till I can get motorcraft