Rear Caliper Seizing?
#1
Rear Caliper Seizing?
Alright, so the guy who last owned my car lived off a dirt road and the rotors are trashed from I guess maybe rocks or overuse. My car was sounding awful when I slowed down, and even making a slight grinding noise when I didn't apply the brakes.
So I replaced the pads in the back yesterday. Everything seems to be running fine, no braking noise whatsoever and no noise when I'm not braking and my car seems to be gliding fine in neutral, but my back left brakes/rim are scorching hot and smelling. I'm assuming my caliper is seized up.
I didn't use the special tool to compress the piston on the other side, but I did on the left one so it should have nothing to do with that. I was going to order a new set of rotors today but now it seems I have this to deal with first.
So can anyone give me some tips on fixing this problem? Maybe a list of things to check/lubricate/loot at? Thank you stangers!
So I replaced the pads in the back yesterday. Everything seems to be running fine, no braking noise whatsoever and no noise when I'm not braking and my car seems to be gliding fine in neutral, but my back left brakes/rim are scorching hot and smelling. I'm assuming my caliper is seized up.
I didn't use the special tool to compress the piston on the other side, but I did on the left one so it should have nothing to do with that. I was going to order a new set of rotors today but now it seems I have this to deal with first.
So can anyone give me some tips on fixing this problem? Maybe a list of things to check/lubricate/loot at? Thank you stangers!
#2
Ummm well if you didn't use the tool or something to compress the brake piston on the rear then you wouldn't have been able to get the caliper onto the rotor with the pad in the first place. Do you think it is possible your axle could be bent on that rear side? Possibly a pinched brake line or something of that nature? I would take it all apart and put it back together as far as rear brake assembly goes on that side.
#3
Ummm well if you didn't use the tool or something to compress the brake piston on the rear then you wouldn't have been able to get the caliper onto the rotor with the pad in the first place. Do you think it is possible your axle could be bent on that rear side? Possibly a pinched brake line or something of that nature? I would take it all apart and put it back together as far as rear brake assembly goes on that side.
I lubricated the little push rods on the caliper clamps with some high temp brake lube so that shouldn't be the problem but I can always re-check. How would I go about checking the piston? It was hard to compress (I did have the fluid cap off) but I suppose it should be hard to compress right?
#4
My guess is you didn't line up the notches in the caliper piston in the "straight up" position. Most calipers that need to be turned as well as pushed in need to be positioned because the brake pad has a "nub" that fits into the "notch" in the caliper piston.
If the notch isn't positioned straight up, and the nub on the pad isn't in that notch, it will cause the brakes to "seize" and give the problems you are describing...
These "nubs"
Fit into these notches...
If the notch isn't positioned straight up, and the nub on the pad isn't in that notch, it will cause the brakes to "seize" and give the problems you are describing...
These "nubs"
Fit into these notches...
#5
My guess is you didn't line up the notches in the caliper piston in the "straight up" position. Most calipers that need to be turned as well as pushed in need to be positioned because the brake pad has a "nub" that fits into the "notch" in the caliper piston.
If the notch isn't positioned straight up, and the nub on the pad isn't in that notch, it will cause the brakes to "seize" and give the problems you are describing...
If the notch isn't positioned straight up, and the nub on the pad isn't in that notch, it will cause the brakes to "seize" and give the problems you are describing...
#8
Well I fixed the notches and everything seems to be working smoothly now. I took it around the block and did some heavy braking and there is no heat or smell whatsoever it seems. I'll post again if I encounter any problems driving it to class tomorrow. Thanks for the help!
#9
Well I fixed the notches and everything seems to be working smoothly now. I took it around the block and did some heavy braking and there is no heat or smell whatsoever it seems. I'll post again if I encounter any problems driving it to class tomorrow. Thanks for the help!
#10
I had a similar problem with my GMC pickup truck a couple of years ago.
I had replaced all the rotors and pads and the rear would bind from time to time and heat up.
At first I though it was the parking brake, but it turned out that the brake pistons were hanging up and dragging the pads on the rotors. Things got blazing hot at times!
Finally, I bought some re-manufactured calipers from Napa and the problem never returned.
I had replaced all the rotors and pads and the rear would bind from time to time and heat up.
At first I though it was the parking brake, but it turned out that the brake pistons were hanging up and dragging the pads on the rotors. Things got blazing hot at times!
Finally, I bought some re-manufactured calipers from Napa and the problem never returned.