Frozen Calipers - How many others had this problem?

[simple]

Changed out the rear rotor and pads today on my 04' Limited 4wd. Should you be able to compress the piston by hand easily on a normal working caliper? For mine I needed to use a wrench and lots of strength to compress it 1/4" to fit on the new pads. Safe to assume its time to replace the caliper?

The how to videos all have it down with a c-clamp of sorts. When I replaced my brakes and rotors a few weeks ago, I was at an auto hobby shop and one of the workers actually got me a tool that's made to pry open the pistons. I think you're fine. Also the frozen caliper problem I think is limited to the fronts.

 

[kaizer427]

My front left just went tits up last night, 2006 with 110K miles. Going to swap out pad, calipers and rotors on my next free weekend on both sides.

 

[kakuno]

had a feeling the caliper where done in the front about a month ago. (182,000 km) Took it to the nearest shop to my work and they said everything was fine. Except my rotors in the front were warped. So I bought new rotors pads and fluid dropped it off at my cousins shop and got a phone call mid day telling me that there was a ceased piston on the inside of Both front calipers!! so they were replaced as well.

 

[ben550]

Changed out the rear rotor and pads today on my 04' Limited 4wd. Should you be able to compress the piston by hand easily on a normal working caliper? For mine I needed to use a wrench and lots of strength to compress it 1/4" to fit on the new pads. Safe to assume its time to replace the caliper?

The pistons will not compress easily by hand. I just put new calipers on and I used a screwdriver to compress the pistons to get over the new pads. I tried moving the pistons on the old frozen calipers and they would not budge with a lot of force. You should be able to compress the pistons but in my experience definitely not by hand.


by the way i just replaced my two font calipers after both froze up. Put on new rotors in the front (front drivers side warped due to frozen caliper heating up the wheel/rotor) and now it brakes like a dream

 

[Jhamblett]

100 after coupon for 2 calipers from advance auto parts and a vaccum bleeder from HF. Easiest job, why pay 800+

 

[BOSMECH]

Add me to the list it worked fine but when I went to replace the pads it would not compress all the way to get the new pads in.

 

[Jan777]

+1

and another one goes down...V8 2005 with 75k...got all for calipers serviced by Toyota...they swapped the brake pistons in the calipers to new ones...total damage: 250 USD

 

[vinnie_febs]

ok, I guess I will add myself to this list. My front driver side caliper froze about 2 months ago with just over 130k miles. Replaced both front calipers, pads, rotors and brake lines (corroded).

 

[jacal]

Again
Most seized calipers are due to moisture in your brake fluid
Change your brake fluid every 2 years minimum
Pick up some speed bleeders for $30 and it makes it a real breeze

I agree that for me I think it was my fault for ignoring the brake fluid change intervals. What process do you suggest for a full bleed?




Thanks!

 

[Hayden_]

Whenever I press the brakes on my 07 there's usually a slightly shaking or vibration. Whenever it's down hill the shaking is intense. My rims seem to get black extremely quick like a week after washing them. Could this be related? I offroad sometimes could I have mud on the rotors or something??

 

[Brutalguyracing]

I agree that for me I think it was my fault for ignoring the brake fluid change intervals. What process do you suggest for a full bleed?




Thanks!

i highly recommend speed bleeders
install them, they stay on the truck in place of stock bleeders
then attach hose into a jar and pump away
then your done

Whenever I press the brakes on my 07 there's usually a slightly shaking or vibration. Whenever it's down hill the shaking is intense. My rims seem to get black extremely quick like a week after washing them. Could this be related? I offroad sometimes could I have mud on the rotors or something??

that is warped rotors most likely

 

[KingPrat]

Just did mine about a month ago. 2004 V8, had 87k at the time. Went with NAPA reman calipers. Cost me with pads/rotors about $850 for all 4 corners.

 

[clh333]

Me too!

Bought my '07 SR5 Sport 4WD in July of 2011 with 45,000 miles on it. In May of 2012 I had brake work done; dealer replaced rotors, pads and hardware all four corners; >$800. At about the same time I had the brake fluid flushed and replaced; >$125. Since then I had been taking it in for oil changes at 5000 mile intervals and reminding them to "check the brakes".

All was OK, according to the dealer, until I brought the vehicle in (last week) for its 75,000 mile inspection. I mentioned that fluid was leaking in the area of the right front wheel, and I thought it might be brake fluid. I said I also noticed a slight pull to the right on braking and a little pulsation in the brake pedal.

Dealer service called to say I needed both front calipers replaced due to frozen pistons. They also replaced all four rotors, pads and hardware. >$1200. Ow.

I asked for the replaced parts and verified that the calipers were indeed frozen, probably due to corrosion on the guide pins and possibly on the shoes as well. I live in an area where roads are salted and I can understand corrosion, but I thought I was getting better maintenance than I seem to have received.

The rotors were within spec, by the way, and were not pitted or warped. Nonetheless they were replaced, not turned. The pads showed little wear but were also replaced anyway.

Next spring I will take them apart myself and make sure everything is moving freely and lubricated. I guess that's going to have to be an annual task from now on. A stitch in time, as they say, saves nine.

I'll leave it to you to draw your own conclusions about dealer service.

 

[Theo85]

I'll be taking my 03 V6 limited in to the garage tomorrow to get the front callipers replaced due to frozen pistons. I have to say though, my 4runner is at 187000KM so it lasted quite a while without brake issues. Bought remans off rock-auto for 285 for both FR and FL.

 

[subspd]

I just had all 4 corners replaced about 3 months ago. Pulsing came back few weeks back I know it wouldn't be good. Sure enough front passenger caliper was frozen AGAIN! This time they replaced the caliper again turned the front rotors and replaced pads then they also replaced the front brakes lines, there thinking was that the hold hoses may not be allowing the proper flow...

I have just about had it. My Tacoma never had an issue and went almost 100k miles on the stock front brakes. This thing is eating calipers...

 

[subspd]

Well.... Update front seems fine now but the rear caliper has frozen again! So that will make 6 new calipers in 4 months time! Fortunately I got Napa calipers so the parts are warrantied but the labor isn't. But should I keep using Napa or get OE calipers?

 

[M1911]

I just replaced my front calipers again. I've lost count how many times I've done this. At least 3 for the front. Maybe 4.

 

[9civichatch3]

I live in Alabama. No Snow, Ice, nor Salt and mine are rusted all over. Had the passenger caliper replaced due to leaking.

I had new tires installed last week and the front 2 wheels would not move freely. We had to rotate with force for them to move. Wonder if that is a sign of frozen calipers?? Now the rotors are warped due to abnormal high heat.

I have a appt at the Stealership Thursday. Only a few months left on my 5yr/100k warrenty.

 

[Danger]

05 Limited. The previous owner replaced both front calipers at 99k miles due to them being frozen.

 

[M1911]

Holy crap..that's a lot of rust!

That's not a lot of rust for a 4Runner. I don't see any holes yet. :redbrick: