Brake caliper help...

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Sep 20, 2011 | 08:55 PM

brownie83

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From: Catawissa, Pa

Brake caliper help...

hey guys...
my front pass side locked up tonite. i think i know the problem, but a few q's. just tore it all apart and a piston, the top of both sides, come out when you press the brake pedal. the bottom one doesnt move on either caliper?? is that the correct way they work? did it with the caliper off the rotor, no pads or resistance. the pass side piston, will not compress back...so i assume thats the problem. the drivers side goes back in with "hand" pressure. but why dont the other piston extend from the caliper? im getting new lines for both sides and calipers...i should replace both right? thanks for all the help

edit...new pads, rotors, and slide pins were installed in july, total power brake flush done 2 weeks ago

Sep 20, 2011 | 09:00 PM

BigAlsPSD

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From: Pea Ridge, AR

Path of least resistance, if one piston will allow pressure to only push it out, the other will stay in place. So yes it's likely that they are working correctly.

Sep 20, 2011 | 09:04 PM

brownie83

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From: Catawissa, Pa

wouldnt both pistons come out equally...if they were both "free"...when one the truck, does only one piston extend? im sure the passanger side is bad, because the piston will not go back in even with the line off...am i right to assume that, or is there something else im missing...thanks for the fast reply

Sep 20, 2011 | 09:09 PM

BigAlsPSD

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From: Pea Ridge, AR

Technically yes, if both pistons offered the same amount of resistance then they would both move equally, but thats perfect world/situation stuff there. Technically even with pads installed one will move ever so briefly before the other until the force required to continue to move that one piston is relieved by moving the other.

Sep 20, 2011 | 09:17 PM

brownie83

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From: Catawissa, Pa

ok...i see...do you think the caliper is shot, because it wont return? or is there something else im missing? also do you need to replace both? or just the problem side?

Sep 20, 2011 | 09:21 PM

BigAlsPSD

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From: Pea Ridge, AR

I would just replace the one that was locked up personally, the caliper is likely slightly crooked and catching on return.

Sep 20, 2011 | 11:53 PM

aawlberninf350

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From: Elk Grove, CA

You could block the piston that moves with a hunk of wood and see if the other moves. Should take very little pedal pressure, so be careful not to pop it out. Calipers are dead nuts simple and so I'd expect the problem to be elsewhere.

Just like the other brake thread tonight, a caliper not releasing pressure or locking up is often collapsing rubber brake lines, or sticking slide pins. Slide pins you can check/lube/upgrade, but if the fault is in the rubber lines it is both invisible and not very repeatable. Heck, if original they are 11 years old, so it's time to replace.

My dos centavos.

edit: what pads did you use? Like 'em?