"Stuck" brakes after pad replacement !!

[RBSOB]

Changed front pads and rotors on my daughters 01 Mustang. Now, 2 days later, the right front is binding to the point that it is heating and burning the pads, car is not drivable! This started 2 days after the work was completed. Caliper seemed to be OK during the repair, now it is acting like it is binding on the rotor. Did I miss some important step in the brake job, trash the caliper, other input? I have not bled the brakes yet, it just locked up tonight. Car is an 01 V 6 Mustang, 4 wheel anti lock discs. Need to get the car running for her tomorrow :{ ... . Thank you, guys for any help! Jim G

 

[Extreme1]

Three things to check: the pad fit into the caliper, the piston sticking in the caliper bore and sliding pin binding. Check to see if the pad is loose withing the caliper (loose enough to keep from binding). You'll probably have to remove it from the spindle.



For the caliper and pin sticking, jack up the front and spin the wheels by hand. Have her step on the brakes hard and see how quickly they release. If this is it, remove the wheel and use a C-clamp to compress the piston into the caliper with it in place. You should be able to slide the caliper on the pins by hand. If they are tight, lube them with Syl-Glide (NAPA). If they slide OK it's the caliper.



As long as you get this fixed before the rotor warps it should be OK.



Edit: The comments on the pin stiction only apply if it has the caliper piston on one side and the caliper has to move to clamp the rotor. If there are pistons on both sides, it's the caliper.

 

[RBSOB]

Thanks Extreme, I hope its that simple. I will claen and lube the pins and happily replace the caliper if necessary. My real concern is that something in the complicated hydraulic, anti lock system was damaged when I did the replacement. And I did follow the service manual! I will keep you posted.

 

[rbattelle]

I've had this happen. Shortly after a brake job on an '85 Bronco II both front calipers locked up. It was pure coincidence that I had done the brake job a couple weeks earlier. This was around 1997, so the vehicle was 12 or 13 years old. The caliper pistons were simply stuck in the bores (it used phenolic pistons) and I replaced the entire calipers. No problems after that.



I doubt very much that you did any damage to the anti-lock system.



Ryan

 

[RBSOB]

Thanks Ryan, getting to work on it shortly. My gut feeling is, that it is a binding caliper. Had some trouble "pushing" the pistons back in the bores to fit the new pads in place. But then it worked well for 2 days, so forgot about it. Should know by lunch time! As always, Thanks to TDR members for mechanical help... . Jim G

 

[RBSOB]

Caliper replaced, and brakes bled, all is well so far. Definitely a binding piston in the twin piston caliper. Thanks guys

 

[MCummings]

V6 Mustang

I see you fixed teh brakes, but the quote shows the real problem..... :-laf



Merrick

 

[RBSOB]

Thanks Merrick, I fear you may be correct!!