sweetbeats

So my 2001 GT is having a number of issues right now and one of them is the driver's side front brake is sticking. The calipers are original, the rotors and pads I replaced almost two years ago with no residual problems until now. The car sits a lot...only has 60,000 miles on it. Is this a common problem? Am I looking at having to replace both front calipers or is there a common cause for this problem with a relatively easy fix? I tried pumping the brake firmly to see if that would help, and I think it may have for a bit but the issue returns.

WJL

You don't necessarily have to replace both sides, jack up the car try to turn the wheel if its sticking it will be difficult or impossible to turn the tire, or it will run hotter than the other side and will pull to that side.

Very easy to rebuild as long as the piston is ok, o-ring and a dust boot and your done. rebuild kit is like $6.00 including shipping. good time to paint or powder coat the calipers

sweetbeats

Thanks for the reply.

I know it's sticking because you can feel the car hang up when starting from a stop, or come to a stop more quickly than normal when I crawl the car forward a bit.

And yes I went around and felt the wheels for temp and the front driver's side wheel is much warmer than the rest.

I hate bleeding brakes.

Camster

The car might have 16 year old brake fluid in it.Time for that stuff to go.

99GTvert

Does the slider pin have grease? I think this is located under a rubber boot/cover.

socal57chevy

To determine if it's a sticking caliper or bad brake hose...
Raise the tire off the ground.
Pump the brake pedal until the wheel won't spin.
Loosen the bleed screw.
If the wheel spins after loosening the bleeder, the brake hose is swollen internally and working like a check valve holding pressure on the hydraulic system on the caliper side.
If the wheel still does not spin freely after opening the bleeder, the caliper or guide pins are stuck.
A car will often pull to the side with the sticking brake when cold, then pull the opposite way once that brake gets hot and experiences brake fade. It can also pull toward the sticking brake when the brake pedal is not applied, then pull the opposite way when the brake pedal is pressed. In this case, it's usually a stuck caliper or guide pin rather than a bad hose.

sweetbeats

Both great ideas. Thanks guys. I'll check to see if the slide pin is dry/binding, and I'll test the brake hose too.

TrevorR00

Just curious what the fix was as I have the same issue after changing the front pads and rotors. Pins are well lubed and move freely. Also replaced my front brake lines. On think I noticed when pushing in the pistons, that I could push 1 of the pair in and the other side did not pop out.