Front Disc Brake Will not Retract

My right front Disk Caliper would not retract, even to the point of "smoking" the right caliper/pads.. above 5 mph... . The piston would not retract even with a crowbar, so I replaced the entire caliper assy....not bad at 14 bucks for an entire assembly.... all was fine for about a week, then, tonight, it began pulling to the right again... had to drive 5 miles at about 2 mph to keep from cathcing fire.. ahahah... got home and jacked it up, and with wheel off the ground, it would turn by hand.. could be coincidental, but also, piston would not retract with screwdriver.. then I opened bleed valve just a bit, and it retracted easily. It appears hydraulic pressure is stilll on the piston...

Am suspecting skid control / computer. etc.. that it's not releasing pressure on piston... when applying brakes.. in the last month or so, it veers left, then right as brakes applied... as pressure is released, seems to veer to right slightly.

anybody ever had a prob like this??? have searched and searched and found nothing similar in postings or recalls... it's a dangerous situation

most likely the rubber hose to the caliper is swollen and not relieving pressure, replacing it should fix you up.

My right front Disk Caliper would not retract, even to the point of "smoking" the right caliper/pads.. above 5 mph... . The piston would not retract even with a crowbar, so I replaced the entire caliper assy....not bad at 14 bucks for an entire assembly.... all was fine for about a week, then, tonight, it began pulling to the right again... had to drive 5 miles at about 2 mph to keep from cathcing fire.. ahahah... got home and jacked it up, and with wheel off the ground, it would turn by hand.. could be coincidental, but also, piston would not retract with screwdriver.. then I opened bleed valve just a bit, and it retracted easily. It appears hydraulic pressure is stilll on the piston...

Am suspecting skid control / computer. etc.. that it's not releasing pressure on piston... when applying brakes.. in the last month or so, it veers left, then right as brakes applied... as pressure is released, seems to veer to right slightly.

anybody ever had a prob like this??? have searched and searched and found nothing similar in postings or recalls... it's a dangerous situation


Lets look at the basics first..if you replaced the caliper and the same thing is happening again and you can get the piston to retract by opening the bleeder, then I would look towards the rubber brake hose as your culprit.
The hose degrades from the inside and may "flap" internally causing pressure to be held on the piston or no pressure being applied to the piston.
This sensation is first noticed by drivers when they start to get a brake pull and can get bad enough to cause a locked down caliper.
Replace both the front brake hoses.

I appreciate your help... Will report back as soon as those hoses are replaced....

Paul Gerdes

Thanks guys.... the plugged up right hose was what the prob. was..

Wonder why this was not on GM's recall list. If the hose plugged up while one was pulling a trailer or boat or something, it could be a disaster...... hmmmmm

PG