Both front calipers frozen

04_4runner

04_4runner

New member
85K miles, 04 SR5 V8.
I started to notice the dreaded pulsation when braking. Also it did not go away quickly after letting off the brakes so I suspected a sticking caliper. It was a bit odd though as I was having trouble feeling if it was sticking left or right. I could tell on previous vehicles.
I brought it into the dealer today and it turns out both front calipers were not retracting. I am getting them replaced under the extended warranty I got last year when I purchased the truck. I asked how much would it have cost me and the service person said the whole job is about $1300. This is for new calipers, pads, rotors, and installation. Only calipers and labor were covered even though the defective calipers took out the rotors. I have to pay $299 for new pads and rotors. Not too bad though. I should have it back later today :)
 
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I did try and argue for new pads and rotors. No go. It would have been covered by the initial 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. The extended warranty spells out specifically what is covered. Calipers are on the list, pads and rotors are excluded. Free would be great but I am OK with all new parts for only $300 out of pocket. Maybe I can get 12 more months.
By the way the dealer tells me that the new pads carry a lifetime replacement warranty so next time should be even less.
 
It was a bit odd though as I was having trouble feeling if it was sticking left or right. I could tell on previous vehicles.
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With other brake setups...a stuck caliper will NOT cause a pedal vibration. The braking will cause the vehicle to pull left or right. If the vehicle pulls left...then the right caliper is sticking. With the 4runner setup where there are 4 pistons (two on each side of the rotor)..the symptoms for a stuck caliper the pulsating which is impossible to tell which side it's on. 2 or 3 of the pistons are still working...thus still proving braking.

I have to pay $299 for new pads and rotors. Not too bad though.
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I guess it's NOT bad....I can buy new rotors and pads and rebuilt calipers for less then that.

Those extended warranties ALWAYS have those out clauses. $1300 to do front brakes is OUTRAGEOUS. This is NOT a complicated job and the parts are NOT that expensive.
 
Thats not bad at all for $300 dollars since you got new calipers.
You should have asked them to give you the calipers and then do the job your self.
 
i was JUST looking for a place to pose a question. i believe i have a looming sticking caliper, noticed it last night for the first time so i haven't had time to pull it off and check.

of course im going crazy at work researching this. has anyone brought up the fact that rubber brake lines absorb water and this could lead to the freezing, especially in the salt belt?

i know my PO (family member) replaced one on mine already but im assuming just with oem. maybe im freaking myself out and my rotors are needing replacement after towing a 30' sailboat the last couple weekends. ill investigate more BUT...

has anyone who replaced calipers done so with stainless steel lines and put some serious miles on after replacement without another failure?
 
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Sungod said:
How much did those 'free' calipers cost you in the terms of the add on warranty?
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Answer: Not even 1/3.
But you miss the point. The warranty was purchased for piece of mind. I didn't (and still don't) expect Toyota pay more in repairs than I paid for the warranty. If they did that for everyone, then why would they sell extended warranties? I have health insurance and life insurance for the same reason. I hope not to use them either.

For me, the 4runner was a big purchase. I wanted the piece of mind knowing that if something very expensive went wrong I would not have to come up with $$$$ immediately. These are great trucks but things can still go wrong.
 
04_4runner said:
Answer: Not even 1/3.
But you miss the point. The warranty was purchased for piece of mind. I didn't (and still don't) expect Toyota pay more in repairs than I paid for the warranty. If they did that for everyone, then why would they sell extended warranties? I have health insurance and life insurance for the same reason. I hope not to use them either.

For me, the 4runner was a big purchase. I wanted the piece of mind knowing that if something very expensive went wrong I would not have to come up with $$$$ immediately. These are great trucks but things can still go wrong.
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Nothing wrong with that. I had one on a Dodge truck I owned and replaced a trans and transfer case. There was no way at that point in life that I would have been able to come up with that kind of cash.
 
robhurlburt said:
so i've got the pulsing brakes on my truck also. i would assume that the caliper is sticky, but which one i am unsure off. i will probably just throw new calipers and rotors on both left and right to forget about this issue. with the core charge they don't seem too expensive. any thing i need to look out for? anyway to prevent this?

Advance Auto Parts: Search Results for caliper
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Unless someone comes out with a new design there is little you can do except replace them. I don't think it is that big of a deal. There are plenty of remanufactured parts on the market and they are not expensive. I have just resigned myself to replacing the calipers every other brake job.

My last calipers were from advance. They have been no different the the previous ones I got form Napa. Just make sure you get the right ones. You are probably more likely to get the wrong ones from Advance than other places, but I don't mind checking a box to pay less.
 
robhurlburt said:
so i've got the pulsing brakes on my truck also. i would assume that the caliper is sticky, but which one i am unsure off. QUOTE]

Most times, if not all, a pulsating pedal is caused by warped rotors.

I wouldn't have known my caliper piston was frozen if they didn't tell me it was at inspection, I felt no symptoms and the pads were wearing even (I checked them before I brought it in)
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rotors dont warp. uneven pad deposits cause the "warping" everyone thinks they have. just get them planed back in to spec for $10-15 a piece.

just some other food for thought: i wouldnt reccomend using ceramic pads on something like a 4runner. some (cheaper) ceramic pads take heat for them to work to their advantage over semi-metallics. you'll end up wasting money if you're not auto-x'ing your Runner. additionally, some ceramic pads dont dissipate heat as well as a semi metallic, and they wear out faster. if the rotors weren't designed for use with ceramic pads, stay away. they too will wear faster.

they do make pads that dont need to heat up as much, but at that point the average consumer/4runner driver is again, wasting money.
 
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This is one of those semantic points that is actually, worthless.

Whether heat has "baked" on pad layer or the pad has warped; the end result is the same... as is the cure.

Either you turn the pad or you replace it. Whatever you wish to call it, or however you wish to describe it.
 
i didnt post something about a stereo in a thread about tires. i posted a VERY common misconception that i think people will find interesting. no hard feelings, just saying.

agreed, i would suggest just replacing them as opposed to taking them in to be turned. especially because they should be turned ON the car. run a semi metallic pad and sand the face of the new pad just slightly before you put them on. this deducts from break noise at the start of the pads life.

im still wondering if anyone has replaced the brake lines with SS and had caliper failure again. i know i asked before but it seems like a feasible cause/fix. rubber lines absorb water, water does its damage on the sliding parts within the caliper.

anyone?

sorry to the OP for a few of us thread jacking.
 
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STAYGOLD said:
im still wondering if anyone has replaced the brake lines with SS and had caliper failure again. i know i asked before but it seems like a feasible cause/fix. rubber lines absorb water, water does its damage on the sliding parts within the caliper.

anyone?
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60K + miles on my front SS brake lines with no recurrence of the stuck caliper. Whether the lines prevent the sticking caliper, I don't know. However, they were fairly inexpensive and while you're down there with everything apart, why not?
 
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