dale1657

Sorry if this question is too basic as my day job is a CPA, I'm not extremely mechanically inclined but hate not knowing how to do things.


Having trouble with brakes. I did a break job on all wheels replacing rotors and pads. Driver side front seems to be sticking. It is smoking while the others are not. Pulled caliper off and only one of the two pistons seem to engage. One will go in and out while the other will go in but only back out partially. Should I just go ahead and change the caliper or is there any basic trick to fix it?


Thanks in advance.

PerryB

Replace the caliper. Its internally corroded. Personally, I'd do both fronts as a set.

Kevinpmac

Another just as likely cause is you might have compromised the brake hose by stressing it by hanging unsupported, etc.

Doing so can cause an inner ply of the hose to rupture and not allow the piston to relax after applying brakes. This is a very common issue and more than likely the cause. Simple fix is replacing the hose and properly bleeding out all air on that caliper.

PerryB

A bad hose wouldn't affect only one of the two pistons.

Kevinpmac

I flunked reading comprehension. Missed it was only one piston

PALMETTO_XLT

Both of mine stuck about a year apart. I would replace both at the same time. When the first of mine stuck my mechanic advised me to do the other but I declined and about a year later the passenger stuck.

My mechanic also replaced the hose to caliper as well. He said it was almost mandatory.

jshillin

iTrader: (1)

Yep, replace the caliper. I had to replace one of mine last year. Just make sure you bleed the brakes well when changing it.

digitaltrucker

Did you put the brake pads back in correctly, ears in the backside?

redfishtd

Pistons are composite and absorb moisture after brake job they tend to stick . Best fix is rebuilt calipers both fronts . They will get so hot they will ruin your rotor and bearings.

dale1657

Thanks, should have know when I had to work the front out for awhile. Back came off fine. Replaced front left after work yesterday, now pulling hard to right, so as most of you said, Ill replace front right after work tonight, don't want to risk ruining a brand new hub assembly.