brakes...

[rhandwor]

The next time you do a break job remove the boot. Put a piece of wood where the break pad goes then put an air nozzle and blow out the piston. The item will be very visable. Apparently you never rebuilt a caliper.
http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...er_rebuild.htm
Look at the picture of a GM kit.
http://www.goldlinebrakes.com/FAQs.htm

[RageCage]

bhw,

In my '85, my car often pulls to the right for a split second when braking, then just goes straight ahead. I have the original calipers and hoses. I guess the pressure to the left front pads is a little slow, so it pulls to the right for that fraction of a second. I keep passing inspection, so I don't f with it.

On the other hand, my 88 Firebird GTA failed inspection once for a bad pull to the right on braking. Turned out to be the front left brake hose. Collapsed internally, I guess. New brake hose, problem gone. Cheap fix.

RC

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by j cAT

this rubber you refer to is the weather boot..all it does is keep the water from getting to the caliper piston...if the pads where not installed correctly or if this boot was not retracted into it's self properly the boot will get a hole in it...then the caliper piston will rust or the caliper housing will rust causing the piston to stick...

the release of brake pressure causes the piston to retract...

In an emergency where this caliper piston seizes , causing the vehicle to be unable to be driven [if you know what your doing] you remove the pads then push down on the brake pedal...the piston will fall out then remove rust as best you can with a screw driver .file etc so piston moves easy in the caliper bore ..
the boot will get damaged ,,this is just to be able to get back where you will replace the front calipers...

you then put the piston back give it a bleed and you'll get home...

I actually think now that my front brakes are somewhat locking up. I don't think the extreme cold we've been having is helping either. When i let go of my brakes what i think is happening is the front pistons retract, but they do it slower than usual.

[rhandwor]

I used to rebuild them but the cost of rebuilt was the cost or less of a kit.
They are very sensitive of dirt and moisture. Bad dust boots allow dirt next to the hydraulic seal and damage it. Look at both links and notice the hydraulic seal which is their in place. Anybody whose done hydraullic work realizes a metal to metal seal doesn't hold high pressure break fluid. Look at a wheel cylinder most people have had them leak.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by rhandwor

The next time you do a break job remove the boot. Put a piece of wood where the break pad goes then put an air nozzle and blow out the piston. The item will be very visable. Apparently you never rebuilt a caliper.
http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...er_rebuild.htm
Look at the picture of a GM kit.
http://www.goldlinebrakes.com/FAQs.htm

the use of your method is what would be done in a repair shop...not on the side of the road in an emergency caliper sieze condition..this method is very well used though because you don't get brake fluid blowing on the other componets/paint....and you ..

I have rebuilt many calipers of varying sizes...much larger than used on small private owned vehicles...

you have not seen yet a rust belt caliper..these rust out as I described.. the seal gets a hole in it and corrosion rusts the piston /bore..then the caliper gets stuck...thats what happens to these vehicles in the rust belt..

you can't rebuild then because it is rusted or the seals are no longer available ...If you are hurting for money the scrap yard has many calipers of good quality that can be used when the vehicle is well over 10yrs old ...for a very low price..with hoses ...

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by RageCage

bhw,

In my '85, my car often pulls to the right for a split second when braking, then just goes straight ahead. I have the original calipers and hoses. I guess the pressure to the left front pads is a little slow, so it pulls to the right for that fraction of a second. I keep passing inspection, so I don't f with it.

On the other hand, my 88 Firebird GTA failed inspection once for a bad pull to the right on braking. Turned out to be the front left brake hose. Collapsed internally, I guess. New brake hose, problem gone. Cheap fix.

RC

your hose problem is not that common ,your brake pull could have also been contaminated brake fluid...

when new pads are to be installed open the bleed fitting THEN push the piston back....this will then remove all the piston fluid from the brake system...this will in most cases cure uneven braking when everything checks out ..if it doesn't then the hose ...