How to tell if calipers are shot?

[madbrown]

Thanks to everyone you helped me through installing new parking brake shoes/guts. Eventually, was able to get it done. Just took it for about 15 mi. test drive. No sqeauling, sticking, or burnt brake odor. However, when I touched the outside of the rear rotors, where outside brake pad engages, they seem quite hot! When I originally started this repair I initially suspected the brake calipers, but after I took apart the parking brake the rotors were able to rotate again. I also cleaned and re-lubed the caliper sliding pins and boots. I tested the caliper piston and was able to decompress it flush w/its boot. I then remounted the calipers, w/o the parking brake, and weighted the brake pedal and checked to see if they engaged. They would engage and disengage. I did this multiple times. So I installed the new parking brake shoes and kit, and actually had to adjust the "star" adjustment the whole way down to get the rotor on. It went on pretty easily, but definitely quite a bit of resistance; I can spin it though. So parking brake disengages/engages and holds good, but wondering if I'm just being paranoid, or I'm I not out of the woods on this one? As always thanks everyone.

 

[jremington59]

If you check the other ones they will probably be warm to. How hot are they?

It sounds like you've checked it and it's releasing fine. Is the rubber boot covering the slide torn? If it's rusted up and bothering you, is it worth 50 dollars to put a new one on?

 

[madbrown]

They're hot enough that I wouldn't keep my finger on there for more than a few seconds. The boots on the slides of the caliper are fine and the pins, as the piston, appeared to be in good shape. They just were in need of some lube.

 

[bluestream1]

They will get hot especially when new and are burnishing in. Have you spin the wheels to so if they are moving freely? They will be some drag, but that should go mostly away after some use. If the calipers are releasing, you should be good to go.

How much braking were you doing during the test drive? They will get hot when braking.

 

[madbrown]

Not much. We live in a really rural area. So probably used the brakes, other than going down the driveway as it's steep, a couple times. Most of the drive was a straight shot on a state highway.

 

[my pos mounty]

I would say that if you can freely spin the wheels, your OK. If they work as designed they will get hot. They stop the truck using friction and friction causes heat.
You say you live in a rural area...try this, take the truck for a 5 minute ride and dont touch the brakes at all. Put the truck in neutral and roll to a stop. Then get out and feel the rotors. You should be able to hold your finger on there after that.