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Posted by: buhs914 Feb 22 2010, 03:34 AM

So a couple weeks back when i took my car for a test drive, i noticed that the front brakes were dragging on the rotors. I immediately took the car back and put it up on jackstands and removed the front wheels. Upon inspection i noticed that the rotors would not spin. Should i take the calipers off and rebuild? or is there something else i could do?

Posted by: davep Feb 22 2010, 07:47 AM

There is not much choice. First, check the easy part by opening the top bleed nipples and seeing if that relieves pressure on the pads. If the rotors turn freely, then it is most likely that the rubber lines have swollen shut inside; that tends to tun them into one way valves. Replace with new rubber lines; usually 10 to 20 years is the maximum useful life of a rubber line. The other possibility is that the brake pedal is not returning to rest position; if so, then the pedal cluster needs rebuilding.

If relieving the hydraulic pressure does not allow the rotors to spin freely, then the calipers must be rebuilt. It is almost mandatory that both calipers be done at the same time. Eric Shea at PMB Performance has a great rebuild service, or you may be able to do the job yourself.

Posted by: underthetire Feb 22 2010, 09:58 AM

And if the calipers are stuck, there are tricks to getting the pistons out if you DIY. So feel free to ask here before you proceed.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 22 2010, 03:42 PM

How long has it been sitting?

Posted by: buhs914 Feb 22 2010, 07:43 PM

it's been sitting for a total of around 6 months. I drove it once or twice since then. I'll have to do the above recommendations and see where that gets me.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 22 2010, 11:31 PM

If they are still stuck; it's probably the calipers. The swollen lines will release the pressure over time releasing the calipers.

So, still stuck = rebuild them.
Release after a short time = new lines.