When I was having a tire rotation done, the mechanics noticed that my front wheels were not turning very easily.

Took it to another place nearby, manager is a great guy. We troubleshooted together, ended theorizing that the brake lines were corroded from the inside, thus not allowing pressure to be released. (during the course of this issue, I also ate up my pads and rotors)

So, I had my brake lines replaced, as well as pads and rotors. Though he commented that the calipers are still dragging slightly, if I wanted to replace those as well to let him know.

Now, I've driven home for the weekend (200 miles away), I've now noticed that the brakes are rubbing extremely hard... I can proceed downhill, release the gas and come to a full stop.

I'm really confused and could use some input... they're actually rubbing worse than before... I don't exactly understand how calipers could go bad, the only theory I have is that the piston inside is all screwed up. Thus replacing the brake lines were probably not needed.... (though that should have been noticed right away... unplugging the brake line and the tires spinning freely, should indicate that the lines were indeed the issue)

 

If the brake fluid absorbs a fair bit of water, (which it is excessively good at...) the insides of the lines/calipers can rust. This can indeed lead to the caliper pistons seizing in the bores.

Easy test is, put the front up on jackstands. Pump up the brakes, brakes dragging? Crack open the bleeder valve, brakes still dragging? If they are, the calipers are bad, if they are not, soft lines are bad.

if it is the calipers, you might be able to salvage them by bleeding the snot out of the brakes......

Since they did brakes, I would like to think that the calipers are NOT seized on the guides...... If they are, you need some money back from the brake job, as they did not do the full job.

 

also, accidentally introducing power steering fluid or atf to the system can cause this. maybe by swelling the seals in the master cylinder.

 

maybe there could be air in the line at the caliper. when i bought my 81 both front wheels took 2 hands to turn and i ended up replacing the caliper on the one side because i did not think i could get the bleader screw open without breaking it but the other side looked like it was already replaced. the side that look like it had already been replaced had pads that had more meat on them than the cheap ones i bought but for some reason they were sticking. i used a c-clap and put it on the caliper with a bit of slack so i could pump the brakes a bit and the cylinder would came out to the c-clamp but when i tried pushing it back in with the c-clamp it would not go so i open the bleader and push it back in and it was work properly like it should ever since.

 

i had the same problem i replaced soft lines and calipers....still a little bit of problem well come to find out my rotor were warped and caused my pads to stick and it burned up a brand new pair of calipers....amen for lifetime warranty stuff lol

 

I just got done driving around some more, I guess it seems intermittent, as now it coasts along seemingly fine...

Yeah my rotors were significantly warped, along with trashed pads. When you say your warped rotors burned up a new pair of calipers, what exactly was the damage done that would cause them to ruin?

I called back yet he's not in until Monday. He definitely mentioned the calipers will eventually need to be changed, I'm again just curious how that wasn't spotted as an issue when the lines were completely disconnected. (which they had to do to test/replace them) Or moreover what was the issue with the calipers. I suppose, can calipers warp from heat?

 

Calipers are chunks of cast iron, that would have to get REALLY hot to distort to the point of causing brake issues. I have never had to replace one due to heat. I HAVE had to replace them due to rust though. (on the inside....)

 

The shop should have replaced them if they thought something was wrong with them. It's not an alignment or tuneup or something that can wait till next time. Were talking about what stops a 5000+ lbs truck! It would become a missile if brakes suddenly stop working.

I'm curious why didn't your mechanic replace the brakes?

 

mine went from shiney to black and bronze so i am guessing they got hot...not sure how but i guess rotors kept rubbing the pads and cause them to heat up and calipers heated up bad....i wish i had a pic i have never seen calipers so black...

 

Did they use any spacers in between the brake pad and piston