Waiting for my brakes to cool. My passenger caliper is locked on. So it smokes like a freaking bastard.

As I'm siting to let it cool, what should I do it fix this? Caliper rebuild kit or new caliper? I'm poor so I'm all over the cheap option but I'm not an expert mechanic so I need something fairly simple. And regardless of which option can I only do that side or do I need to do both like pads and rotors.

Thanks and this has been a dynamite day...

 

Have had it happen many times, spent lots of time and money each time, basically replaceing everything rotors calipers pads etc; happened again one day after spending $340 again fior the works... Was standing there scratching my head in total frustration, then noticed master cylinder was over full, removed excess fluid and seems to have fixed the problem... Good luck.

 

Well I havnt played with the fluid but I did do pads recently. Ill investigate that tomorrow. Maybe since I put thicker pads on, tho not by much, it was just enough. Ill fill ya all in tom when I check it out!

Any other ideas? I can check on my phone so ill be looking up to that point.

 

Well it wasnt to much fluid.

All I did was back the piston and its not frozen anymore. Im sure it will do it again but anyone have any ideas? Its not leaking so Im outta ideas....

 

Check the Caliper where the pad goes on, sometimes over time the pad can eat into the caliper and leave indentions causing the pad to stick.

If this is the case some people have used a welder to weld in a small amount of weld and then sand it down smooth instead of replacing the whole thing.

OTherwise you can just get a new caliper, bleed the brakes, and try it from there.

 

Yeah I recently had the problem. Only does it when I get on the brakes a lot, like when Im doing city driving. But once it cools, they work fine again.

 

hmmmm Ill have to check this tomorrow. Im thinking I may drive/limp it home so I can work on it on a cool cement floor instead of a hot dirt driveway with 100000000000 insect friends lol

If the calipers look fine does a rebuild on them sound like a good start too? And since Id have them off what about painting them lol

Im such a child sometimes...

 

Had this prob on my 98 ended up replacing the caliper for 39.00 from autozone and a new rubber brake line 24.99 from napa havent had any problems with my breaks other than when I was power braking I blew a break line but they didnt lock up so its all good.

 

I haven't had to touch my brakes on my dakota yet... but have had mopar vehicles all my life... One thing that can happen is the caliper piston can rust slightly from being exposed on those old thin calipers.. then when you push the caliper pin back in.. it can be sticky with the pitting and oxidation now rubbing in that travel path.. I know grease and brakes don't mix... nor do flamable materials around hot brakes... but lubing that pin somehow (or cleaning it) might help.. (it might also be a fire hazard, so choose wisely)

 

Thats a good tid-bit jerry. i will check that out when i can get in there and check things out.

My next step it to get it home. it might be a smokey long drive back. ill bring a few cigars since i cant drink and drive lol