stuck caliper

[ericn1300]

dang, i decided to do front brake pad replacement on the load levlers 92 bravada and found a stuck caliper. wore the inboard pad down to the wear indicator and it stays there, making a squealing noise that she didn't even notice, but hey she listens to country music unless the 14yr old is in control of the radio, then it's hip hop. i can't get it to compress using a c-clamp. no damage to the rotor yet.

piston rebuild kits don't look too expensive. is this a DIY for a newbie at brakes or should i put it back the way it was and limp it over to my mechanic?

[Chris Stewart]

Open the bleeder and see if it'll compress. If so, your rubber brake line inner sleeve has a leak and the more pressure you apply, the tighter the sleeve closes shut. A new rubber brake line fixes it.

[old_master]

Brake caliper overhaul is not difficult. It does however, require compressed air to be applied to the fluid inlet. The air pressure opens the boot evenly around the piston and that allows the piston to be installed very easily. There is a little trick to it and it does require patience the first time you try it.

[ericn1300]

well, i ended up taking it to my dad's farm mechanic. turned out not to be a huge problem. he said i just wasn't getting brutal enough with it. he grabbed a big ass c-clamp, postioned it in the center of the piston and popped it back into place.

then he went to the other side and said "i think your problem is over here", and sure enough the previous owner had changed the pads on one side only. they were a different brand, with different wear, different stud patterns, and different mileage throwing the hydralics out of balance and causing the piston on the opposite side to over extend it's normal throw wear pattern and stick. (over 190,000 miles of braking wear pattens)

he only charged me $45 bucks before he slapped me upside the head and said, as usual, "get out of here kid". (i'm 50 now but i take it well. in fact i kinda like it when he says that, but my ear still hurts)

[Chris Stewart]

Allllright!
Older mechanics are the coolest people on the planet...if you listen close.