Front Brake Pad Caliper Stuck HELP!

[briancl]

Hi,


I'm currently in the middle of a front brake pad replacement on my 2015 4Runner 44k miles, first time doing any brake service on the car Lots of city driving. Driver side was a breeze.

Now the passenger side while compressing back the piston to put in the pads. One of the pistons got stuck and won't move. Tried everything. So I tried pumping the brake pads with no help.

Now all 4 are stuck and I see some clear fluid leaking. But it only leaked when I pushed on it.

Any help or idea what I need to do?


THANKS!

 

[GripT4R]

Did you pump the brakes with no pads in the caliper? Or did you put the pads back in and re mount the caliper around the rotor before pumping them?

 

[briancl]

Did you pump the brakes with no pads in the caliper? Or did you put the pads back in and re mount the caliper around the rotor before pumping them?

I pumped it without the pads in.

 

[GripT4R]

And now you have brake fluid leaking out of where? The Rubber seals around the pistons?

 

[briancl]

And now you have brake fluid leaking out of where? The Rubber seals around the pistons?

Yea it just leaked a bit around the pistons. My rubber seals are all messed up now. But it seems to have stopped.

 

[GripT4R]

You probably blew out the seals on those pistons.

Have you ever worked on brakes? Do you understand how they work?

 

[briancl]

You probably blew out the seals on those pistons.

Have you ever worked on brakes? Do you understand how they work?

If there is a DIY I could follow that, but other than that I would need to get help.

 

[GripT4R]

You cant drive it anywhere. Hitting the brakes will most likely cause oil to bypass the seals And get all over the pads and rotors.

You just created a bunch of extra work for yourself.

Without seeing it, you are probably looking at a caliper rebuild, and then a brake bleed before you can install those pads and finish the project.

Call someone with experience to help you.

 

[briancl]

My car is stuck with the garage part open though. What do you think I can do to get it inside?

Would a brake caliper rebuild be enough so I can drive it a few inches forward? I can probably do that on my own.

 

[Dinosaur Overland]

My car is stuck with the garage part open though. What do you think I can do to get it inside?

Would a brake caliper rebuild be enough so I can drive it a few inches forward? I can probably do that on my own.

If you have a floor jack use that to get it to roll inside, or think about calling a wrecker and having it hauled to a shop.

 

[briancl]

If you have a floor jack use that to get it to roll inside, or think about calling a wrecker and having it hauled to a shop.

Thanks for the great idea. I will get the floor dollies to roll it inside.

Also, I'll stop by the dealership and get a caliper rebuild and brake fluid to work on that. Worst case at least I can give it a go tomorrow.

Thank you!

 

[flyrv9]

You could remove the caliper and cap the brake line to prevent fluid from leaking out. You will probably need the caliper off to free up the pistons and do the rebuild anyway. Then, you should be able to get any hoses and other things out of the way and put the wheel on. Then put the truck in neutral and push it in the garage. I wouldn't start the engine or touch the brakes. Get someone to help you and use chocks to keep from rolling too far in either direction.

If the pistons are really stuck, they or the caliper housing may be damaged and not repairable. Even with new seals they will leak if scratched or chipped. A rebuild kit will probably just get you new seals. You may be better off taking the caliper to a shop to check out and rebuild; or just replacing it with one ready to install. Then do a complete bleed and you're done.

 

[seatia]

You can get a rebuilt caliper from Autozone for 80 bucks with a lifetime warranty. Used to get them there for Corvettes all the time.

 

[briancl]

You could remove the caliper and cap the brake line to prevent fluid from leaking out. You will probably need the caliper off to free up the pistons and do the rebuild anyway. Then, you should be able to get any hoses and other things out of the way and put the wheel on. Then put the truck in neutral and push it in the garage. I wouldn't start the engine or touch the brakes. Get someone to help you and use chocks to keep from rolling too far in either direction.

If the pistons are really stuck, they or the caliper housing may be damaged and not repairable. Even with new seals they will leak if scratched or chipped. A rebuild kit will probably just get you new seals. You may be better off taking the caliper to a shop to check out and rebuild; or just replacing it with one ready to install. Then do a complete bleed and you're done.

What I think may have happened is when I was using a flathead screwdriver to push it in, I may have used too much force or whatnot. It was moving at first, then it got stuck as I was pushing it around.

Is this enough info to see if it's really a damaged caliper or simply a rebuild kit with seals needed?

 

[flyrv9]

In my opinion no. I think to be sure, the caliper needs to be taken apart and inspected. You will probably need to do that to properly install new seals anyway. I haven't rebuilt a Toyota caliper; but I have done a few single piston calipers over the years. In all of those, the piston is removed; followed by seal removal. Then everything is cleaned (I used brake cleaner) and inspected. Then seals installed, followed by the piston. It might be easier and less of a headache to replace the caliper using yours as a core return and move on. Brakes are really not things to experiment with. If you're not comfortable or not sure you know what you're doing; then pass this job on to someone who does. Safety is more important.

 

[flyrv9]

In my opinion no. I think to be sure, the caliper needs to be taken apart and inspected. You will probably need to do that to properly install new seals anyway. I haven't rebuilt a Toyota caliper; but I have done a few single piston calipers over the years. In all of those, the piston is removed; followed by seal removal. Then everything is cleaned (I used brake cleaner) and inspected. Then seals installed, followed by the piston. It might be easier and less of a headache to replace the caliper using yours as a core return and move on. Brakes are really not things to experiment with. If you're not comfortable or not sure you know what you're doing; then pass this job on to someone who does. Safety is more important.

 

[Arnezie]

Just go get one from autozone or similar and save yourself the hassle. And excuse my preemptive judgment but if you hit the brakes when the caliper was unbolted you probably can’t rebuild yourself.


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[pDubs]

I would get a new caliper and avoid the hassle of trying to rebuild. They are cheap enough.

You are going to have to bleed the caliper now, I would go ahead and do a brake fluid flush on all 4 if you are doing a lot of city driving and had a caliper seize on you already.