92 Century ft left caliper lockup

[jvorrius]

Hi,
I have a 1992 Buick Century Custom v6 engine with 35k original miles.
The car is well maintained by me. Last month when driving the car, it felt as if it was being held back from moving. Raised the back and rear wheels spun freely. Pulled the rear wheels anyway and everything is fine. Raised the front on jackstands put it in neutral and try to physically turn both front wheels. Left wheel would not move, right wheel spun no problem. Even started it and put in drive same problem. Replaced front brake pads and left front caliper. I did notice when power bleeding the brake system, the left front was hard to get fluid out even with the new caliper. But I bled them anyway and drove the car.
Same thing happened again today with the car. My issue is the difficulty in even trying to draw brake fluid front the left front caliper. I went ahead and replaced the master cylinder. I was leaking externally anyway. The left front wheel will not spin freely. After pumping up the brakes, I goto unscrew the bleeder and the fluid shoots about 1 ft like its under pressure in the line or caliper. I was thinking maybe the hose collapsed internally. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
James

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by jvorrius

Hi,
I was thinking maybe the hose collapsed internally. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
James

I think you may have identified the problem in the comment above. Change both sides, or otherwise they will not apply even pressure and the car will pull to the side where the new line was installed when you apply the brakes.

[jvorrius]

Hi,
Just wanted to let you know that I went ahead and replaced the left front brake hose and the problem was solved. Wheel spun freely. Then I went ahead like you suggested and replaced the right front hose just to be sure. All brakes were bled again. Problem completely solved!!

Thank you for your help

James

[HotZ28]

Thanks for the feedback! That is like music to my ears!

BTW, the hoses should be a part of routine maintenance during a brake job, especially after 10 years! Enjoy your new found brakes!

[GM Line Rat]

This is a common problem on alot of 10+ year or older vehicles (Internally collapsed brake hoses), more often when they have sat for long periods of time. The hose detiorates inside and and causes a blockage. causing the caliper to bind and not release. I repaired a 91 Chevy truck last month and Both front hoses were bad and binding the calipers. BTW, Thanks for posting a follow up on this problem! Alot of people request help, many provide it and you never get a response back from them if the problem was solved or not in order to help others in the future!