jd254

this is on a toyota solara 2005, but that shouldnt matter. after 6 years, brakes just got done for the first time ever.

the back went perfectly. bolt was long and lubed.

the front... the bottom lock pin is rusted and i can't compress it to slide the caliper in.

the top lock pin on the other side of the front is also.

the bolt that goes into the lock pin was short and unlubed, which leads me to believe that is why the lock pin is rusted.

according to this

http://www.akebonobrakes.com/oem/bra...ed_caliper.gif

the lock pin and guide pins are the same... it's the pin inside the pin boot that compress back and forth freely...

so... I installed all the pads on... which was extremely difficult when the caliper wont go on because I couldn't compress the lock pin... I tested drove the car... everything seems perfect... should I worry about the rusted lock pin that's not compressing?

also I forgot a tiny shim that goes on one of the brake pad, not the caliper mount. write something to let my girlfriend knows that when she dies because of brake failure... it's not because of the shim.

1. should I just leave the rusted lock pin alone?
2. is the tiny 2 cm shim for the brake pad useless?

onewheat

If your caliper pins don't freely slide, you will get uneven pressure and therefore uneven pad wear - probably accelerated wear as well. If you can't free up the pin and plan on keeping it, I'd recommend a new caliper.