Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Caliper sticking

Posted by: jim_hoyland Oct 31 2004, 11:25 AM

Yesterday, my front left modified BMW 320i caliper began squeeking when pedal is off and going slow. Hit the pedal a couple of times and it went away. Got home and checked to see if caliper was hot. Pretty hot.

Is there a quick fix to this; or does the caliper need to be removed and sent in ?

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 31 2004, 06:32 PM

Had this happen two weeks ago.

Jack the car up... pull the wheel. Pull A pad out... it'll take some effort.

Using some wood in place of the pad, stomp on the pedal.

Pry the piston back. Repeat. Then repeat process with other pad.

Hopefully, you can break the stuck piston loose. If not, you can probably rebuild the caliper yourself.

-Rusty

Posted by: jim_hoyland Oct 31 2004, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the headsup; Do you lubicate anything after prying ?

What causes the sticking ?

I'll try it tomorrow after work

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 31 2004, 07:22 PM

Nope. No lubrication.

Rust in the cylinder bore usually causes the cylinders to stick. You can usually polish it out with some 400+ grit sandpaper when you do the rebuild.

If you can R&R a caliper, you CAN rebuild the caliper. Recommend you do both both calipers on the same axle. Invest in a couple cans of brake cleaner to help clean things up.

-Rusty

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Oct 31 2004, 08:08 PM

Before you do all that, hit the pedal hard, check the drag after it's released, then hit it again, release it, and crack the bleeder. If the drag is released, replace the front hoses with nice new OE rubber ones. The Cap'n

Posted by: jim_hoyland Nov 1 2004, 01:55 PM

Do you think there is a defect in the hose ? Interestinly, the squeek ( rubbing againgt the rotor) alway returns when I brake to make a 90 degree turn. Would that make sense ?...

Thanks.

Posted by: mike_the_man Nov 1 2004, 02:09 PM

Could be kinking the hose when turning. If you don't know the condition of the hoses, it wouldn't hurt to replace them. They're not that expensive, and the front ones are easy to replace. The back hoses, on the other hand, not quite so easy.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Nov 1 2004, 03:12 PM

Hmm.. thank you.