Sticking Brake Caliper

How Do I · #1 07/16/10, 04:46 PM

Have a 1987 Toyota that I was going to take to my dad's today to give him something to piddle around with. Truck had been sitting for about two years. Started up fine, but developed a leak from the radiator so I got a new one and put it on. Took it for a test drive and the front driver side brake caliper is sticking. Driving down the road, it pulls hard to the left and every few feet locks up. Is the brake caliper shot or can it be revived? I think he's going to want to replace it anyhow, but just thought I'd ask.

plowjockey · #2 07/16/10, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by How Do I

Have a 1987 Toyota that I was going to take to my dad's today to give him something to piddle around with. Truck had been sitting for about two years. Started up fine, but developed a leak from the radiator so I got a new one and put it on. Took it for a test drive and the front driver side brake caliper is sticking. Driving down the road, it pulls hard to the left and every few feet locks up. Is the brake caliper shot or can it be revived? I think he's going to want to replace it anyhow, but just thought I'd ask.

You might be able to pop it out with brake pressure if you can free it. Try to hone out the cylinder and scrub off the rust.

I"d just replace it, if I was working on it.

How Do I · #3 07/16/10, 09:12 PM

I talked with my neighbor earlier and that sounds something similar to what he was saying. My dad said this evening to go ahead and replace it, so...guess that's what I'll be doing. Thanks pj!

mightybooboo · #4 07/17/10, 01:51 PM

Could also be a collapsing rubber brake hose,consider the hose replacement with it if the price is right.Thats a pretty old hose you have there.

Beeman · #5 07/18/10, 09:11 AM

I'm betting brake hose.
When it locks crack the bleeder screw and see if there is pressure and if releasing the pressure allows the wheel to free up.
Of course at that point the bleeder screw on a 23yo vehicle will break off and we're off to the races.

**Cabin Fever** · #6 07/18/10, 10:00 AM

The couple of times that I have had trouble with calipers locking I found was due to rusty, corroded slides. Once I sanded the slides with emery cloth, greased them and the pins with caliper lubicant, the problem went away.

Wis Bang 2 · #7 07/18/10, 01:43 PM

I had a slide pin rust in a Geo Prism [Toyota Corolla clone] and hammered it free, greased it up and put it back to work. Later I started replacing the hardwear on disc brake jobs.

My neighbor is a flat rate technician and he showed me how to clean and lube the caliper.
After re-assembly, if you can't move the caliper around w/ your fingers [before you stomp on the brake pedal to move the piston back out to seat the pads] it isn't right...