Caliper piston seized

[Srt10650]

This whole thread makes me realize how dumb I was for not noticing that my front brakes were dragging, and about to lock up. I say that because, the dude had recently washed the truck before I bought it, but the front wheels were basically black after just 300 miles of driving.

That was me when I first started to notice it, lots of brake dust on the front wheels, the smell of the brakes when I was driving and the drag the truck had when you would let off the throttle. Then read here on the forums that it’s a common problem. So I knew I had to take the time and rebuild them. But it all comes with the territory with owning one of these beast!

 

[Srt10650]

Taped up and ready for paint.

 

[Srt10650]

A few more coats of paint and should be ready for the rebuild.

 

[Srt10650]

Tapes off and looking pretty good. Just need to clean a few things with brake cleaner and should be good for the rebuild.

 

[Srt10650]

Rebuild complete, have to wait til Tuesday or Wednesday to put them on. I decided to put new parking brake shoes and hardware as well. I said might as well knock it out and don’t have to do anything brake related for a few years.

 

[shirleyjp86]

I noticed you simply cleaned and roughed up the paint a little before painting the fronts - how are they holding up? I ask, because that's about all I did prior to paint (degreased and roughed up a little with a wire wheel.) Also, what paint did you use? I used VHT Caliper Paint.

 

[Srt10650]

I noticed you simply cleaned and roughed up the paint a little before painting the fronts - how are they holding up? I ask, because that's about all I did prior to paint (degreased and roughed up a little with a wire wheel.) Also, what paint did you use? I used VHT Caliper Paint.

They’re holding up really good, that’s how I did my front calipers also. I used the Duplicolor caliper paint kit.

 

[Srt10650]

Parking shoes and hardware finally came in today.

 

[Srt10650]

Decided to at least do the driver side parking brake shoes. The old hardware was definitely showing its age and with a lot of rust. Cleaned it up with a brush and some brake fluid, the shoes still had some meat on them but we’re definitely aged(16yrs).

 

[Srt10650]

Decided to at least finish the driver side, still have to finish the passenger side, bleed the brakes and just enjoy the truck again!

 

[shirleyjp86]

Decided to at least finish the driver side, still have to finish the passenger side, bleed the brakes and just enjoy the truck again!

Great work dude! Got a quick question - do you remember the torque for the 18mm bolts that hold the front calipers to the steering knuckle? Also, what about the smaller Allen bolts that hold the (2) halves of the front calipers together? I've heard 130ft lbs and 65ft lbs respectively, but idk.

 

[Srt10650]

Great work dude! Got a quick question - do you remember the torque for the 18mm bolts that hold the front calipers to the steering knuckle? Also, what about the smaller Allen bolts that hold the (2) halves of the front calipers together? I've heard 130ft lbs and 65ft lbs respectively, but idk.

Thanks, that I don’t really know. I just kind of gauged it, I believe theres a shop manual here on the forums for free. Ill see if I can find it and I’ll post it.

 

[_JB_]

Hey which speed bleeders did you use?

 

[VIPR PWR]

Hey which speed bleeders did you use?

Thanks for posting those , I had no idea the existed .. has anyone installed them ? Do they really last and work ?

 

[_JB_]

Thanks for posting those , I had no idea the existed .. has anyone installed them ? Do they really last and work ?

I put them in all my vehicles and I use them for clutches too. I've never had one fail in 20 years of using them. I haven't been able to 100% confirm which bleeder will work in 05-06 calipers and/or who has them in stock, so I was hoping @Srt10650 could help but he hasn't been back since Thursday.

 

[VIPR PWR]

I put them in all my vehicles and I use them for clutches too. I've never had one fail in 20 years of using them. I haven't been able to 100% confirm which bleeder will work in 05-06 calipers and/or who has them in stock, so I was hoping @Srt10650 could help but he hasn't been back since Thursday.

Damn ,, they existed for 20 years and I never knew it lol … wouldn’t mind finding out for ones that fit the QC calipers ,, would be a simple change an define make bleeding brake or changing out the brake fluid on a regular maintenance schedule .

 

[beastmode1]

Looks like you got it all handled WTG.

I was finally able to get an alignment yesterday, when my front driver side caliper starts smoking. Luckily I was like 5 mins from my house. Pistons are seizing, time for a rebuild. I took them apart and was able to un seize the driver side but one piston on the passenger side wouldn’t move. So just decided do take them out and start the rebuild on the calipers. I was able to take them apart and degrease them today. Tomorrow I’ll get some really fine sand paper and remove the rust from the piston bores. While I’m at it, I’m going to repaint the calipers, install new pistons/seals/dust boots and do new pads/rotors. I bought my truck from Chicago 6 years ago and haven’t replaced the brakes. Then again, I’ve only driven my truck only 15,000 miles in those 6 years. I finally was ready to start driving my truck then this happens, never fails. Pictures below.

 

[VIPR PWR]

Looks like you got it all handled WTG.

The first time my brakes locked up was the front driver side started smoking bad . Pulled ver in a parking lot and sat for almost a half hour .. then it freed up . Started driving again and then the left drivers side locked up … the truck had around 9800 miles on it . My question is - Why did they lock up it sure wasn’t do to corrosion and moisture in the braking system or caliper .. it doesn’t make sense with such low mileage that could be possible . Even today I’m not convinced that it is the calipers causing them to lock up . It continued over the years to do the same thing at different intervals and about a dozen times from new to date . I know when it starts because I start getting a shimmy and pull out over to let it cool off before the brakes start smoking . I’ve had it do it in a 20 mile run and not do it on a 2000 mile run .. ..

 

[Wifey]

The first time my brakes locked up was the front driver side started smoking bad . Pulled ver in a parking lot and sat for almost a half hour .. then it freed up . Started driving again and then the left drivers side locked up … the truck had around 9800 miles on it . My question is - Why did they lock up it sure wasn’t do to corrosion and moisture in the braking system or caliper .. it doesn’t make sense with such low mileage that could be possible . Even today I’m not convinced that it is the calipers causing them to lock up . It continued over the years to do the same thing at different intervals and about a dozen times from new to date . I know when it starts because I start getting a shimmy and pull out over to let it cool off before the brakes start smoking . I’ve had it do it in a 20 mile run and not do it on a 2000 mile run .. ..

That's insane!! I didn't know they did this?!?!

 

[VIPR PWR]

That's insane!! I didn't know they did this?!?!

Yes , mine does that every time it happens .. one side then the other