Unsticking a caliper?
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm
Unsticking a caliper?
All,
wife.com said the van was doing some scary things today... Shaking at 45-70mph and touch of the brakes sent it veering to the left.... I drove it around the block. It turned hard right as soon as I let go of the wheel... Hmmm...
So I take a look at the right front. Sure enough the caliper is stuck. And I mean stuck! I opened the bleeder screw and tried a c-clamp to push it back. No luck. This is where the question comes....
Is there some way to un-stick this thing? Or, and I think this is the route I'm headed anyway, is it just better to buy a new one and replace it? Actually I'll do it in pairs, new pads and calipers...
wife.com said the van was doing some scary things today... Shaking at 45-70mph and touch of the brakes sent it veering to the left.... I drove it around the block. It turned hard right as soon as I let go of the wheel... Hmmm...
So I take a look at the right front. Sure enough the caliper is stuck. And I mean stuck! I opened the bleeder screw and tried a c-clamp to push it back. No luck. This is where the question comes....
Is there some way to un-stick this thing? Or, and I think this is the route I'm headed anyway, is it just better to buy a new one and replace it? Actually I'll do it in pairs, new pads and calipers...
CD_S
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
For the price of remans, I would replace both calipers and pads.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
yep.. replace it. they are very inexpensive on our vans. I'd just check to make the that the rotor on that side isn't totally deeply scored on the inside.
also, it's not 100% mandatory to do both sides... usually the passenger sides go bad long before the drivers side due to the slopes of streets & roads from the center out. the side of the road (passenger side) is where all the puddles and crap (salt, dirt etc) populate.
also, it's not 100% mandatory to do both sides... usually the passenger sides go bad long before the drivers side due to the slopes of streets & roads from the center out. the side of the road (passenger side) is where all the puddles and crap (salt, dirt etc) populate.
Rob
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
I just replaced everything up front, including the rotors last summer. I sure hope the right one is OK. I'll start with new calipers and pads tomorrow.
Thanks All!!
Thanks All!!
CD_S
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Sometimes it is the flexible hose that is at fault. I'd replace them also. They can break down and clog, causing weird problems like pulling and sticking caliper symptoms.
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:00 am
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Ditto the brake hose thing !! Heck, ya gotta disconnect it anyway.....rlsllc wrote:Sometimes it is the flexible hose that is at fault. I'd replace them also. They can break down and clog, causing weird problems like pulling and sticking caliper symptoms.
Indy, all the horsepower you could ever imagine in one place...
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Yeppers,Jim in Indy wrote:Ditto the brake hose thing !! Heck, ya gotta disconnect it anyway.....rlsllc wrote:Sometimes it is the flexible hose that is at fault. I'd replace them also. They can break down and clog, causing weird problems like pulling and sticking caliper symptoms.
It might be worth flushing out the whole system.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
The hoses are less than a year old. Do you guys really think they could go bad in that short of time???
I will be bleeding the whole system when I replace the calipers.
I will be bleeding the whole system when I replace the calipers.
CD_S
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
-
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:00 am
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Only a year old? Oh well, so much for that idea.
Indy, all the horsepower you could ever imagine in one place...
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
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- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:56 am
- Location: Saginaw, Michigan
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Reman calipers can sometimes be bored out with larger than stock pistons installed in them. With the extra diameter, and wear on the rotors/pads, the piston/cup can become tipped in the hole, making a sticking caliper. Even worse, those that are returned, are remanufactured AGAIN, only to be bored out further, as there is no spec on oversized caliper pistons.
Its not expensive, buy NEW replacements, or stay away from the drug store auto parts houses ( auto zone, pep boys, murrays, etc.)
Its not expensive, buy NEW replacements, or stay away from the drug store auto parts houses ( auto zone, pep boys, murrays, etc.)
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Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Well the new parts are in place. New calipers, pads and hoses. Several hard stops from 60mph later and I don't feel any shudder or wobbles. So I think I am lucky and the rotors are OK.
However, I do have a slight tug to the left.... Where should I be looking to correct this??? I'm thinking I'll bleed the front system again. But is it possible I need to bleed the rears out too???
However, I do have a slight tug to the left.... Where should I be looking to correct this??? I'm thinking I'll bleed the front system again. But is it possible I need to bleed the rears out too???
CD_S
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
Definitely check and adjust the rears since the fronts are all new. It will pull one way or the other if one drum is a little too tight or has a leaking wheel cylinder or axle seal.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
-
Topic author - I sleep in my van
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:37 pm
Re: Unsticking a caliper?
I think I found the problem. Looks like I need to tighten the bleeder screw on the right side. Looks like I have a slight leak there.
I'll get that tightened up tonight and report back!
I'll get that tightened up tonight and report back!
CD_S
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!
1991 W41
1995 Astro - Now gone, I am Astroless.
1997 C1500
1989 9C1 Caprice
1997 Bonneville
1998 Olds 88 LS
http://forums.b-body.org - newly updated!