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Break caliper issues...

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Old Jul 22, 2009 | 10:53 AM
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hontzy87
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Default Break caliper issues...

So this is more of a general auto question but might for all i know be a typical dodge issue. Last winter i had some issues with my breaks sticking. I was pulling out of work the one night and my peddle felt stiff and after i let off and gased it to start moving, it was at a slow crawl. Then i went to stop and it wouldn't stop (no it wasn't ice). Didn't think anything of it cause i just pulsated my peddle a few times and it drove fine. I had the same issue randomly through the winter but one time i was sitting at a light and when the light turned green, i gave her gas and it seemed my front tires were completly locked up and my back was just spinning like a ****. And mind you i was in 4x4. The pulsating of my peddle didn't help at all. I had to turn my truck off then turn it back on. All this happend when i seemed to just get in my truck or just start driving after it al cools down. Still in the hot weather now at a red light, i can let her sit without pressing the breaks while she's in drive and it won't move at all. Anyway i can check to see if my calipers are sticking? My pads are all wearing the same way. One thing weird is my back rotors do have alot of spotty rust almost as if the back isn't being used at all. I know cars have the 30% back and 70% front stopping. Any help i'd appreciate, i'm just getting fed up with it.

EDIT: I know i totally spelled BRAKE wrong in the title haha
 
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Old Jul 22, 2009 | 11:46 AM
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Sounds like you need a brake fluid flush to clean everything out. Check this link out HERE

However trucks wear pads just the same as cars. Rear rotors having some minor surface rust is normal. Trucks wear the back brakes more so when towing.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2009 | 11:53 AM
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Thanks dirtydog, i'll look into this.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2009 | 12:13 PM
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I wonder if the pistons in your front calipers are binding on?
This is usually caused by a build up of grime and dirt.
It can also be caused by the rubber gators around the calipoer piston being split. This causes water ingress into the piston and caliper and the piston rusts into the caliper piston bore.
It's an easy fix. Just check your rubber gators on the front pistons. There are two on each front side pistons and one on each on the rears.
If they're split, replace them after cleaning up the whole caliper and pistons.
Then try them out.
Sometimes however, if these are gone too bad, a replacement caliper is necessary as the rust cannot be cleaned out of the smooth linning of the caliper piston bores. This causes a continuation of the brakes dragging.
If all the bores and rubbers are rust and split free, get some proprietary brake sovent cleaner and get to work removing all the crap in there by removing the calipers and spraying/cleaning them out.
You can also make sure your caliper slider sleves/bushes are sliding free as well and check your pads for wear along with your rotors.
You can do all this at the same time and you will be effectively, servicing your front brakes.
Hope this helps?
Al.
 
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