Frozen Caliper

[South_paw]

Hey folks,
The right rear caliper on my 03 Explorer seems to be freezing up on me intermittently. When it is locked up, it smokes and smells as would be expected. What is the best way to fix this? Bleed the brakes? It recently sat for about a 3 month period, and this happened upon driving again after that.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Chris

 

[crash594]

Replace it. Brakes are not worth playing with.

 

[Uafan]

Yeah, I'd have to agree, or take it to Ford and have them diagnose and fix it, that way it's documented that you had a problem with it in case something happens with that caliper in the future.

 

[South_paw]

10-4 guys, I appreciate the advise. Not what I wanted to hear, but I appreciate it none the less....

 

[South_paw]

I came here for a little DIY advise. Is there no way to 'fix' a frozen caliper?

Once it starts to freeze up it's shot, is that right?

Thanks

 

[crash594]

The issue can be internal or external (rare) but it is best just to replace it.
I have seen rebuild kits but I never had luck with them. Its not worth getting hurt over and most shops will tell you the samething. I am an aircraft tech and I would just change it if it was mine.

 

[chris's2005]

I came here for a little DIY advise. Is there no way to 'fix' a frozen caliper?

Once it starts to freeze up it's shot, is that right?

Thanks

I owned a 93 for a couple of years and the calipers froze up on it, i just replaced the caliper with a new one.

I have an 05 now and just replaced one side, so if i were you take it to an auto parts store and get a new caliper and relace it

Chris

 

[goatman]

I came here for a little DIY advise. Is there no way to 'fix' a frozen caliper?

Once it starts to freeze up it's shot, is that right?

Thanks

I agree with Chris and Crash, replace it. A remanufactured should cure the problem in short order..

 

[jrford]

You can also replace the front brake kit, comes with slide pins, bolts, evething that makes the front caliper slide. I had an 12 year old heep 140k on the clock. Found a rubber seal that had cracked, upon teardown one of the glide pins was rusted stuck, Cleaned out the bore with a dremel, added new glide pin and bolt, works good as new. $15. You should have a stiff but movable glide pin. . . .if its sits for a long time they get stuck. However if the glide pins move, then it could be a pistion, Rebuilt Caliper then.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

If you aren't sure about fixing or replacing them yourself, take it to a professional. Brakes aren't something to mess with if you aren't sure. If you don't do it right, you coudl get into some real trouble real fast.

 

[goatman]

If you aren't sure about fixing or replacing them yourself, take it to a professional. Brakes aren't something to mess with if you aren't sure. If you don't do it right, you coudl get into some real trouble real fast.

Absolutely!!