BRAKES Front caliper won't release...HELP!

Thanks for all the wisdom shared...much appreciated.

I'll be checking all those possibilities out, for sure.

Poconoeagle wrote:hoses internally separating and thus they act as a heart valve

Love this forum! I learn something new every day. I had never heard of this. I have heard of a master cylinder piston hanging up and not allowing fluid back, but usually you know that from the smell! Burning brakes have a PU odor like nothing else. It reminds me of a time the wife & I were a mile from home & came up on a car that was smelling bad. I commented "That guy is in for a surprise when he gets home". We turned left to go the last 1/2 miles home and, oh no, WE were the sorry guys. The smell came with us! Seems the anti lock brake/traction computer somehow told the right rear brake to apply itself. It was so hot it destroyed not only all brake components, but also the bearings and axle got replaced!

Its all interconnected and all dependent on every part functioning

its what stops the car daaaa skimping here saving 5 bucks there ???? will it be worth it when it needs to be fixed again in 10,000 miles - or worse when it fails and you kill someone - maybe me

Do a total brake job and you get the same reliability and life as you did from the system when it was on a new car. thats something rare

We chat all year about guys who scrimp and do a unsafe stove installation by not doing it right

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT?

Just because I recommend replacing all the junk parts does not automatically qualify me with deep pockets

Mr Holmes would say ---"Do It Right"

Hey MG, I'm still waitin to find out what type of vehicle all this happened to???

freetown fred wrote:Hey MG, I'm still waitin to find out what type of vehicle all this happened to???

Lets guess than. I am gonna say a chrysler product.



Any other guesses?



Eric

NOPE, I'll run with that one.

On my 2004 F-150, the front calipers are dual piston. Both pistons in the caliper on the passenger side cracked, and as a result the caliper seized. It seems the pistons are made from a ceramic type of material. I am not sure why this material was selected, as ceramics are not good in thermal cycling operation.
Anyhow, I upgraded my pads to Hawk, and rotors to Power Slot, and flushed my brake lines. The calipers were purchased from Autozone as rebuilds. I did the best I could do to buy all American made products. I have found that the run of the mill brake parts you get from any of the auto part stores are sourced from China, and we all know what that means for quality, and our own economy.
After all that brake work, my truck stops much better than it did when it was new, so it was worth the effort.

Buy a set of "loaded calipers", best bang for the buck... Just bought a pair of loaded calipers for the rear of my brothers T-Bird turbo coupe, along with rotors and all new E-brake cables front to back, total cost to my door was $ 305.00... Shop wanted $ 750.00 parts and labor without the e-brake cables!!! Yikes, gotta help out the older bro every now an again...

Bought all from Rockauto.com, felt with them in the past on many occasions, prices are good and shipping timely... Loaded calipers I purchased were remanufactured and sold under the name "Centric", by far the greatest looking set of reman calipers I have ever purchased, looked like brand new, even nice shiny new zinc chromate plated every last piece of hardware was shiny and new, highly recommend this brand over any other, plus, no core charge...

What does "Loaded" mean?

OK, I'll play. What does what kind of vehicle mean? As far as the loaded--got me--all ready to go???

McGiever wrote:What does "Loaded" mean?

A caliper with brake pads included.

Centric re-manufactures their calipers here in the U.S. I am not sure where they manufacture their Centric brand brake pads, but much of their manufacturing is in California.

the 2004 F150's had big problems with the calipers, everythign I read online, they are junk and a lot of people having problems. They changed the design or mfr in 2005. I think there is a TSB on them too.

MURDOC1 wrote:Buy a set of "loaded calipers", best bang for the buck.

Agreed. I had a caliper hang up on our Navigator and replaced both front calipers with Centric "loaded calipers". They were about $100 each and have performed very well.

McGiever wrote:What does "Loaded" mean?

Oops!!! Forgot to explain myself on that one, but CT coal burner and Rob R. set it straight already, thanks fellas!!!

Loaded calipers are overrated -- You get whatever friction material was available that day on the line during packing

but the grade of friction separately and be sure of what you have - at least price is out both ways