Brake Seized

[Guru Mechanic]

so my wife's 2004 Sebring (sedan 6cyl) right rear brake was seized. Burned the pad off.

I changed both rear rotors, pads and the right rear caliper. Tested it, seemed ok.

She comes home after driving for a day, the same right rear is SMOKING!

all other brakes are fine, just the right rear.

Now what?

thanks.

[Stealthee]

A bad soft line can cause the brake to keep pressure on the rotor.

[Guru Mechanic]

I think you are right thanks! will change that next!

[tonysilva530]

Has the brake fluid ever been replaced.....as in : Has the old brake system ever been flushed. The brake fluid gets old and creates corrosion....the corrosion could be stuck in the proportioning valve causing the rear caliper to become stuck.

Does your car have 4 wheel anti lock brakes?

If no rear anti lock brakes, I would replace the sticky caliper.....they are inexpensive enough to replace asily.

[Guru Mechanic]

tonysilva530

this was 7 months ago. first thing I did was replace the caliper but this was not the problem.

It was corrosion. The corrosion causes "hardening of the arteries" leaving enough space for brake fluid to pass through when under pressure of the pedal, but not enough space to allow the fluid to naturally return, which held the caliper closed.

Changing out the eroded line fixed it.