Brake Calipers Locking Up

armthelaser · 01-02-2006

I have a 92 AWD laser. When I first bought the car the rear driverside caliper was locked up. I replaced the caliper with one from carquest. Now since I have had the car I have had to replace the caliper 3 times within 2 years. I keep replacing it with carquests because it is under warranty. The E-brake isn't hooked up on both sides. Is this happening because Carquests calipers suck ass or because there is something else happening? Any thoughts? Thanks.

LightningGSX · 01-03-2006

What do you mean by locked up? The piston is locking up or the pins?

armthelaser · 01-03-2006

The piston is locked up.

1slowdsm · 01-04-2006

Damn, I'm having the same problem right now on the same caliper. I'm waiting till spring to change it out. How long did it take you to replace the whole thing and how much did it cost? It goes through brake pads like nothing.

armthelaser · 01-04-2006

Here was my problem-
The divers side caliper quit floating so I went to look at that and noticed the other side was locked solid again. It must have just happened because it wasnt like that the day before. The drivers side quit floating because the bolt that makes it slide was bent. I think the other side was getting clogged with something. I decided to just flush my brake fluid to get what ever was in the lines out. I think the problem was the 1/8 inch of sludge in the bottom of the resivour that I found. So we'll see if that takes care of it. As far as the cost just a new set of brake pads, I bought two used calipers but the one on the passenger side ended up being under warranty. I still have the passenger side one if you need it.

1slowdsm · 01-11-2006

I need one for the rear driver's side. I'll probably go to Bumper-to-Bumper to see if they have one for me. Thanks though.

armthelaser · 01-11-2006

No problem

GVR-4579 · 01-12-2006

The only reason i can think of a caliper piston locking is that the piston either gets cocked in the bore from being too far out or improper tolerances, or that there would be something getting into and behind the cylinder to jam it like the sludge/grime you mentioned.