removing seized calipers
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removing seized calipers
apparently my front disc brakes have locked up. I dont know why or how to get them off. Anyone know what might cause this to happen? where to I begin to take them off?
76 f150 360 2wd.
76 f150 360 2wd.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oregon
Both of them? That seems unlikely, unless your master cylinder or porportioning valve is stuck somehow. 
If it's a caliper, then the piston's seized up. That used to happen quite a bit back in the days before they had silicone brake fluid.
If it were me, I'd try opening the bleeder screw and forcing the piston back. If that was a no go, I'd unhook the hose and caliper hardware and take the hub/rotor off with the caliper stuck to it. At least that way you'd be able to knock it off of there.
If it's a caliper, then the piston's seized up. That used to happen quite a bit back in the days before they had silicone brake fluid.
If it were me, I'd try opening the bleeder screw and forcing the piston back. If that was a no go, I'd unhook the hose and caliper hardware and take the hub/rotor off with the caliper stuck to it. At least that way you'd be able to knock it off of there.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: East Texas
The rubber brake lines can get weak over time and collapse internally thereby keeping pressure on the pistons in the caliper. Once you get the old calipers off, might as well replace the calipers and rubber brake lines.
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Originally Posted by firstonraceday
The rubber brake lines can get weak over time and collapse internally thereby keeping pressure on the pistons in the caliper. Once you get the old calipers off, might as well replace the calipers and rubber brake lines.
When you are talking about the lines are you referring to the line that goes from the caliper to a bracket or something and is about 13 or 14 inches long? That line looks pretty old.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: East Texas
I believe we are talking about the same lines, the ones from the caliper back to the steel lines. I had a similar situation on my 77, the rubber lines were original. I had not been keeping an eye on them as well as I should. I suspect the lines collapsed and in a worst case scenario (mine) the constant pressure leads to premature pad wear and rotor scoring. I ended up replacing one rotor along with both calipers and brake lines.
Last edited by firstonraceday; Apr 13, 2007 at 12:53 PM.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: East Texas
I got mine at O'Reilly. My local store seems to have more of the parts for older trucks in stock, along with a wider selection of Motorcraft parts for tuneups, etc.
Cost wasn't bad, seems like around $16.00 each for the reman caliper and $12.00 each for the brake lines. This is for an F-250 with single piston calipers.
Cost wasn't bad, seems like around $16.00 each for the reman caliper and $12.00 each for the brake lines. This is for an F-250 with single piston calipers.
Last edited by firstonraceday; Apr 13, 2007 at 01:43 PM.
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attempt #1
replaced the calipers and tried to replace the brake lines from caliper back to the truck. Driver side line... the hard line fitting i think stripped while half way screwed into the new line that goes back to the caliper. cant get any pressure because it isnt tight and it wont back out, just spins. What do I do?
Laughing Gas
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From: hohenwald, tn
try to put some pressure on them while loosening. pull with a little pressure while loosening them up. sometimes i've used one finger to spin the wrench and the rest to pull apart. it usually doesn't take much pressure.