Archived 01 sticky rear caliper Help!

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Just picked up my 01 3500 4x4 with rear disc brakes.

the right rear caliper seems to hang now and then but not all the time!

I noticed the pads look brand new! The bushings seem very clean and they move freely inside the caliper ears! Maybe it is hanging on the rails? Maybe the mechanic has a shim or anti rattle spring wrong?

Anyone have any trouble with this? I am going back in for a second look but wanted to check with you guys first!

Thanks

 

[Rman]

It's a good idea when changing pads, and peridoically during use, to grease the caliper pins with hi-temp grease. This will promote free movement and eliminate what sounds to be your problem.

 

[DennyDay]

Seems to be a problem in snow/salt country-- had same thing on my 01, took all apart, cleaned and lubed everything and still had the problem. Ended up replacing both rear calipers. (NAPA) and that solved the problem. You might check the hoses going from the axle to the calipers for blockage also. (These hoses were a Dodge only Part) but this was not my problem. Pistons had some corrosion that prevented them from returning.



Denny

 

[DavidMartin]

I had a similar problem on my 99's front drivers side caliper, the dealership swore everything was all lubed, when I took it apart the slides were quite dry, once I lubricated them (see below) they worked great. That was 20K ago and I have had no problems since. I use a product by the name of sil glide on all my disc brake jobs, it comes from NAPA and works great in hot or cold temps. Good Luck

Dave

 

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Thanks

I will take the calipers off in the morning, Going to make sure the slides are clean and well lubed.

I have heard of the rubber lines having seperations and clogging the returning fluid.

I am going to service the rails first and then replace the caliper or both calipers if still not solved.

I have only had this truck a few days, hope to get to know it a little better before feeding it too much more of my money! Going to start a new thread with some gas questions!

I'll try NAPA for the rail lube also.

Thanks again friends!

 

[JKinney]

I would suspect the hose is faulty Sometimes the problem will go away and then come back.

 

[aerialimage]

maybe the hose ?

Has anyone else had a hose problem yet? Please speak up if you have. I will start with the caliper slides/bushings and so on. next the caliper or calipersthen hose as needed! I should be able to inspect the hose at least to some extent while changing the caliper if I get that far! I just picked this baby up and hope to get clocking some miles to see what I like or don't like!

Thanks for all the great help to all!

I will keep you posted

 

[JKinney]

Yes I have. Truck will feel like its pulling a little to one side.

You stop to check it out, and one wheel is so hot it will burn you.

You let it cool and then it works fine. Its the littl hose between the caliper and the hard lines.

 

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All cleaned up!

OK it is all cleaned up and lubed with SIL Glide from NAPA.

I noticed the caliper piston boots are torn and I suspect I will be doing one or two rear Calipers but after I test drive the clan and lube job!

All parts are moving nice. I suspect the road salt and dirt would get in due to those torn boots. I will update the results after some miles are clocked!

Thank you to everyone for all the great help!

Regarding the line I have a great story about a friends P51 Mustang that almost crashed due to fuel starvation. in the end after all was rebuilt and nothing found they put a borescope inside the stainless steel braided fuel line that looked like new and found the side walls to be scaled and when fuel was flowing it would pull the rubber flaps from the sides and block the line!

Sorry for the long post!

 

[aerialimage]

OK I Just ordered my Caliper!

It is much better but that one side is making some heat still!

I went with the Factory new Caliper as it was only about $20 more than Napa and does not need my core back! IT will be here in the morning! I will let you know how it all turns out!

 

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New caliper installed!

new Factory caliper installed and no trouble yet! I will update if any further action is needed but This looks like the solution! Thanks to everyone for all the help! Don't know What I would do without TDR and all of you!

Thanks!

 

[Extreme1]

Glad you got it fixed. My diagnosis process is as follows:



1) Compress the caliper pistons with a C-clamp and see how the caliper slides on the pins. (It doesn't need to move far). This is the most common problem on these trucks in salt country, a torn caliper boot is an automatic caliper replacement, it will seize soon.



2) If the calipers move freely, then pump the brake brakes to get the pads back out where they belong. Have someone push hard on the brakes for a few seconds and then release them. (this is best done with the wheels on) Then try to spin the wheel. Do this on both sides several times to get a good feel for it. (if you have LSD, you'll have to listen and feel to compare the drag of the calipers) If you have one dragging you'll need to determine if it's the hose or the caliper.



If the drag stays constant, it's most likely the caliper. If it goes away slowly, it a hose. The final test for a hose would be to remove the downstream end and have someone pump the pedal once. I've had hoses that would barely dribble. Seized calipers usually are hard to compress with a clamp also.