Dragging brake problem
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From: abilene kansas
Dragging brake problem
I am having an issue with the right front caliper dragging on my '80. Seems like it's not releasing for some reason. Pads seem ok,plenty of material left. I was able to carefuly push the piston back, to where the rotor turned freely. Drove it this morning, and it is now dragging again. This problem started about 2 weeks ago.
What is the problem, and what do I need to fix it?
What is the problem, and what do I need to fix it?
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Posting Guru
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From: abilene kansas
Thanks!
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From: Tennessee
Sounds like you have a restricted hose or sticking piston in your caliper . If the slides are free and not binding . Pump up the brakes with the wheel off the ground till it grabs with the brake released . Crack open the bleeder . If it frees up and spins , the hose is bad . If it stays frozen , and the slides are not binding , the caliper is bad .
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From: abilene kansas
Mine has metal piston.
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How new are the calipers? If they're more than five years old, I'd say since the calipers on the trucks are so cheap to just get a new set and put them on. However, in my experience the tendency for people to ignore cleaning and lubricating the points of contact where the calipers slide in and out is the number one cause of brake issues of this sort.
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: abilene kansas
How new are the calipers? If they're more than five years old, I'd say since the calipers on the trucks are so cheap to just get a new set and put them on. However, in my experience the tendency for people to ignore cleaning and lubricating the points of contact where the calipers slide in and out is the number one cause of brake issues of this sort.
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: abilene kansas
Sounds like you have a restricted hose or sticking piston in your caliper . If the slides are free and not binding . Pump up the brakes with the wheel off the ground till it grabs with the brake released . Crack open the bleeder . If it frees up and spins , the hose is bad . If it stays frozen , and the slides are not binding , the caliper is bad .
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: abilene kansas
Drove it around town for a bit, and it actually felt like it was rolling freer than it was before, all I had done was squirt a little penetrating oil on the slide area. (Only other thing wrong, it it will pull very hard right if I let go of the wheel). I'll jack up that wheel again tomorrow and see how it turns
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Tennessee
Drove it around town for a bit, and it actually felt like it was rolling freer than it was before, all I had done was squirt a little penetrating oil on the slide area. (Only other thing wrong, it it will pull very hard right if I let go of the wheel). I'll jack up that wheel again tomorrow and see how it turns
Let us know what you find . Most times you need to remove the caliper and clean the slide contacts . Your lube may get it done though .
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
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From: abilene kansas
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Tennessee
You will have even pressure both sides then . For that matter , whenever replacing brake parts , you need to do the same to the other side of the axle . That way , both sides are working the same and less chance of over stressing a weaker part or over working the better part . IMHO . Good Luck !
