front brakes locked

[Southtwnr]

OK not really locked. Bad choice of words. Heavily dragging is a better description.

this has been ocuring intermittently for a few days where it feels like the brake is engaged and the pedal becomes very hard with no play. it never lasts long and i presumed it was the rear wheels but because it never lasts long enough for me to get home and jack it up to see which wheel it is.

yesterday my son pulls over and call me saying the front wheels are smoking! Problem wheels identified!! He defintely daid driver's side and thought the passenger side too.

so if it is in fact both front wheels that leads me to believe it is the MC right?

I have searched around and it seems most people have issues with rear so didnt see much on the fronts. I will probably take it to a shop for diagnosis but wondering what some experienced people think.

 

[Scotty_h]

How many miles? Calipers can stick over time.

Another option if it's only one wheel is a collapsed brake line... Not likely for both fronts.

MC? I've never heard of them sticking in a pressed position only blown seals that make them worthless.

Any recent work done to the truck?

I hope this narrows it down.

 

[jeremyc74]

Anyone been driving it in the ocean by any chance? Saltwater's a ***** on brakes.

 

[Grenvilleter]

Not likely your master cylinder is bad.
The probable cause is the pads are wore to a point where the caliper's have overextended themselves and now stick when you apply the brakes.

You will probably need new pads, calipers and possible rotors.

Sorry...slow to respond what others have said.

 

[Southtwnr]

I will check the front calipers when I get some free time but no there has been no relevant recent work (rear main seal). I was hoping to get a few more miles since i just bought the truck a few months ago and would like to do the tundra upgrade but cant since i need to get the truck back on the road.

im glad the MC isnt the likely culprit. thanks and i will let you all know. 132K miles on the truck.

 

[cleanrunner]

sticking calipers are fairly common on these things but easily fixable.just stay away of cheap aftermarket when replacing. on my 3rd set of calipers/rotors/pads thanks to advancedautoparts. bought napa calipers and havent had a problem since.

 

[Scotty_h]

do the tundra upgrade but cant since i need to get the truck back on the road.

Perfect. I would do the upgrade before I took it to the shop.

 

[Grenvilleter]

If you want to do the upgrade and need some time to raise the cash, you can gamble and compress the calipers and throw on a set of cheap pads.

When the caliper pistons gets compressed back into it's 'normal' travel spot, it may or may not stick again.
Sometimes a little speck of rust or contamination been knocked loose from the over extension and they stick everywhere. Sometimes it will see you through a few more weeks /months.
Roll the dice...

 

[Southtwnr]

well I feel bad but i took it to a shop. I priced it out and was only saving $200 if i did it myself and that includes a brake flush. The calipers were shot and the heat was melting the brake hose!

Time is a bigger comodity for me now. They are also doing the rear axle seal which is something I hadnt done before so while i have to temporarily turn in my "man card" i can get the truck back on the road asap.

thanks guys. The brake upgrade will have to wait for now.