brake question-RUBBING CALIPER

G

Ghost Stripes

New Member

Feb 13, 2003

23

0

0

Golden State

Aug 20, 2004

#1

• Aug 20, 2004

• #1

Hey guys I first started hearing my caliper rub like five days ago. I also noticed a lot of brake dust that built up on the left rear tire. I knew it was the left rear immediately. I went to Midas and they took off the tire, and I had a look. The inner brake pad was worn down completely, and it was rubbing metal on metal. I knew I had to replace the rodor b/c of the metal on metal rub. But the guy also mentioned that I needed to replace my caliper. Is this absolutely necessary? Or can it be re-aligned so it doesn't rub?

 

N

n0v8or

10 Year Member

Aug 23, 2003

604

8

39

Rhode Island

Aug 20, 2004

#2

• Aug 20, 2004

• #2

Sounds like you had a frozen caliper (the piston would not retract into the bore when you released the pedal), so that brake was always applied. I don't know any way to eliminate the problem without rebuilding or replacing the caliper.

 

dmsead

New Member

Nov 27, 2003

34

0

0

NW Ohio

Aug 20, 2004

#3

• Aug 20, 2004

• #3

If the caliper piston is siezed, causing the brake to drag, then it will need to be replaced.

 

G

Ghost Stripes

New Member

Feb 13, 2003

23

0

0

Golden State

Aug 20, 2004

#4

• Aug 20, 2004

• #4

OK thanks for the help guys.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,368

18,115

224

Massachusetts

Aug 20, 2004

#5

• Aug 20, 2004

• #5

When a brake pad is worn on one side only, it usually means the caliper pins seized. It's a common problem on these Varga-style calipers.

The caliper most likely is fine. Seized calipers sieze open. The pad wears away and you have no brake. The fact that only one side wore meant the caliper couldn't slide on the caliper pins to engage the other pad.

The increase in brake dust is a result of the extra heat released.

Usually, all it takes is relubing the caliper slide pins, slapping in new pads and sliding on a rotor.