Stuck rear disk brakes


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Old 04-21-08, 04:18 PM
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Stuck rear disk brakes

Both brakes seem to be stuck on the minivan after leaving it sit for 10 days. It has been sticking, I've just been putting off the repair. I'd just like to be able to limp it over to the shop to have the repairs done. Any advice on how to free up the back wheels so I can get rolling again. PS we don't use the parking brake - so I doubt that's the problem. Oh, and also I tried to take a back wheel off but no go. I'm a victim of the air ratchet and can't get the lugs loose with a T-handle. ugh.
 
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Old 04-21-08, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by shabadoo2 View Post
Both brakes seem to be stuck on the minivan after leaving it sit for 10 days. It has been sticking, I've just been putting off the repair. I'd just like to be able to limp it over to the shop to have the repairs done. Any advice on how to free up the back wheels so I can get rolling again. PS we don't use the parking brake - so I doubt that's the problem. Oh, and also I tried to take a back wheel off but no go. I'm a victim of the air ratchet and can't get the lugs loose with a T-handle. ugh.
get the right socket for your lug nuts/3/4 inch socket wrench/cheatpipe, soak lugnuts with Quickwrench and rip them off. i have yet to see a lugnut that will not go lose with this combination. worst case scenario, you'll rip a stud or two, but those are easy to replace. your point is to get the wheel off to get to the brakes. make ABSOLUTELY sure that socket sits tight on the lugnut, or you'll strip lugnut and THEN you are hosed, you'll have to torch cut them off. i am crossing fingers you don't have them damn lugnuts with shiny chrome caps on them, those are terrible.

personally, never had this trouble, esp only after "10 days sitting in the parking lot", must have been something else going on for long time. i'd assume, your brake piston stuck in caliper, if you do not use parking brake. disassemble the brakes, meaning - remove the wheel, remove caliper studs, and remove caliper. you will need a large C-clamp. secure caliper on top of the hub/rotor, place a brake pad friction material against piston, clamp c-clamp so that the flat metal piece is behind the caliper body, and start screwing piston into the caliper. remove master cylinder cap beforehand so that nothing prevents backflow. probably, try spraying Quickwrench on the piston perimeter, to losen it up.
if i were you, before attempting to "limp" anywhere, i'd gently press on brake pedal, to extend piston maybe halfway, WD40 or Quickwrench the sidewalls, press it back in again, and do so maybe dozen times, untill it moves more or less freely. you can't really drive otherwise, or it'll seeze your rear brakes again. be careful, as you can press piston out completely, and after that it's a total mess.
just came back at me - you might have some of the dust boot stuck between piston and bore. sounds impossible, but my certified DIYfer educator, 87 ford taurus, had that happen.
 
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Old 04-21-08, 07:38 PM
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if you set the caliper back on the rotor before pressing on the brake pedal you can not over extend the piston. the rotor will stop it. Usually a stuck piston means it is warped or rusted from contaminated brake fluid.
 
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Old 04-21-08, 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Speedwrench View Post
if you set the caliper back on the rotor before pressing on the brake pedal you can not over extend the piston. the rotor will stop it. Usually a stuck piston means it is warped or rusted from contaminated brake fluid.
true. i'm just lazy - mount/dismount/mount/dismount.

speedwrench is also correct about bad fluid. i just did not want to mention bleeding, as it all becomes overwhelming for a rookie.

basically, it's a great example of what happens if a car gets neglected on proper maintenance. just like they say - you can pay now, or you WILL PAY later.
 
 

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