Hauled a small load to the recycler, no problem. Unloaded and pulled out of the Port of Tacoma and we smelled brakes. "Must be one of those container trailers" I said to my wife. When we got to the light I noticed it was me!! I pulled into the Les Schwab and we couldn't turn the wheel caliper stuck.

To make a long story short, they wanted $800 for a complete brake job (front axle). The pads and rotors look fine, lots of wear left. I think I'm going to just buy a caliper at napa for $67 and use the same pads and rotor. Is that crazy? I hope to save for a complete brake job later.

Thanks Scott

It's a 2005 F-450 4x4

 

If there are no groves in the rotor's or pads then you can get away with just replacing the caliper and doing a brake flush now if you have any groves or hot spots on the rotor then it would be better replacing the front pad's and rotor's.

 

While your there might as well go around all the wheels and lube all the slide pins.

 

If you have hydroboost, the problem likely is not just calipers, it is in contaminated fluid.. see the Ford TSB

Solution is to flush and clean the PS fluid and filter it... then also verify (i.e. replace) bad calipers, etc.

 

Remember, the PS fluid is ATF. Check your slide pins, as said, and flush the brake lines.

 

I've seen more slide pins seize than anything else on these trucks. Do what those posters above said...

 

Do I just remove the slide pins and grease with caliper still attached?

 

Have a look at this LINK.

 

The link has the correct info except make sure the lubricant is Fords (or equiv) "high temp teflon" lube. It mentions silicone lube but is not specific.