Frozen Calipers - How many others had this problem?
- Thread starter ssheftel
- Start date
AuSeeker
Elite Member
By using a IR thermometer check each wheel hub after driving and braking for a while, any of the hubs that are abnormally hot indicates you probably have a sicking caliper/s.
You can get inexpensive IR thermometers from around $10 and upwards, but if that's not an option you could very carefully do the same by touch, BUT be careful, normally functioning brakes shouldn't get extremely hot to the touch under normal braking condition, but if you have a sticking caliber the hub could be extremely hot and you could get a burn, maybe do the initial test with a wet cloth, if it sizzles or you see stream vapor or the wet area of the hub dries extremely quickly I wouldn't touch it with your hand/fingers.
Are frozen calipers more of an issue where salt is used on the roads? From some of the pics I've seen of folks calipers that are frozen, they look incredibly rusty, which I am guessing is due to the salt.
I need new pads soon, at a minimum, and will likely get new rotors too, now I'm thinking might as well add calipers while I'm in there, maybe go with 5th gen gear all around, but want to verify if this could be an issue for me at some point. I'm at ~86k miles.
Thanks!
I need new pads soon, at a minimum, and will likely get new rotors too, now I'm thinking might as well add calipers while I'm in there, maybe go with 5th gen gear all around, but want to verify if this could be an issue for me at some point. I'm at ~86k miles.
Thanks!
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I just replaced the pads, rotors and calipers on my 07 4runner(don't ever buy a car from Chicago). I only have 111,000 miles and wasn't planning on doing the calipers. I replaced the pads on the front left and it was fine, moved to the front right and couldn't even push the pistons back. I'm trying to get the poor, abused truck fixed up (just bought it last year) so I replaced all four calipers. It cost me about $650 for all the brake parts and I installed it all myself. It cost another $200 to get the shoes replaced and adjusted because I had already spent so much time on it I had enough. Fortunately I found some Cardone elite calipers that came powder coated. It looks really nice now. I'm so glad I got it done right.
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Are any of your wheels much more dirty? That was a dead giveaway for me. My left rear wheel was much dirtier than all the others on my old 4runner. I could also feel the heat coming off the wheel after driving it. I was still getting about 17 mpg though and replacing the caliper didn't effect my mpg much. Maybe it isn't the brakes. Are you due for a tune-up?
sprocketus
New member
Had a wheel heating up from a pad hanging up, more than anything you can smell it. Freed up quickly, and the wheel was hot to the touch too. Already had new rotors and pads ready to go, so I got some Cardone calipers from NAPA (powder coated too) and replaced them on the fronts. Old one were full of rust. Only thing I had to do extra was chase the threads on the line fitting, seems like either the blast material or powder coat messed up the threads a bit. Went well, works like new.
Yeah..I had some trouble with the hardware too. One of the banjo bolts was gushing fluid while bleeding and both of the rear calipers were leaking around the threads on the bleeder screws. I just used the old hardware and everything was fine.
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Would sticking caliper pistons cause intermittent steering shake (around 55 mph), similar to warped rotors- as well as what I'd describe as "lumpy braking" at low speeds, similar to pad deposits on the rotors?
I had EBC rotors and pads installed a few months ago- the above symptoms showed up immediately.
I'll add that I'm also missing a pad spring on one side, and my caliper pins are old and dry- so plan at this point is to install new caliper springs (2 on each caliper) and new greased pins. I'll do this before I look at replacing calipers.
Truck has zero rust (CA car).
Any thoughts or suggestions?
I had EBC rotors and pads installed a few months ago- the above symptoms showed up immediately.
I'll add that I'm also missing a pad spring on one side, and my caliper pins are old and dry- so plan at this point is to install new caliper springs (2 on each caliper) and new greased pins. I'll do this before I look at replacing calipers.
Truck has zero rust (CA car).
Any thoughts or suggestions?
You said "similar to warped rotors", are you sure they aren't defective since the problem started when you changed them?
I kept chasing a funny feel in the steering wheel on smooth surfaces. Kind of like a "hum" you feel in you hands through the steering wheel. Hum but by no means harmonic or cyclical. Maybe like a loose steering rack or tie rod ends. I even bought a set of tie rod ends before deciding I was on the wrong track.
I had no noise, brakes didn't run extra hot (around 100f is what they usually measured at). However, the front hubs where a bit hard to yuan at rotate time, which having no experience with this power train I wrote off that to the full time four wheel drive, etc. not true after the brake job they turn very easily by hand.
The real clear clue was uneven pad wear. No brake dust, I think that depends on the type of pad. The rotors showed signs of mirco-cracking. Not wanting to skimp here I used Centric's upper end rotors and calipers. I am very pleased. Braking is excellent. My gas mileage seem to have gone up about 10%.
Mine, I believe, were sticky for a long time. The vehicle is definitely smoother which I didn't much think possible except for that hum thing. And the thing has enough pull that I never felt a lost of power. Good luck.
I don't think the rotors are warped or defective since the steering wheel shake is intermittent. If I lightly brake at speed, no shake. If I get the brakes warmed up, seems to not shake.
It's really quite odd- which is why I suspect caliper issue. Calipers are original at 208k miles.
That is odd. With that mileage you are probably due for calipers given that these 4runners are prone to issues. I already replaced mine at 100,000 miles but my 4runner came from Chicago(stupid me). Sorry I'm not more help.
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Mine does the exact same thing. I just bought 5th gen brake stuff to replace my 4th gen stuff hoping to remedy my shakes and pulsing. I'll probably get around to doin it in the next couple weeks.
I put a leveling kit on it about a month ago and the calipers seemed to be wearing even. Regardless, I still think its something in the brake system causing my issues.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
I involuntarily joined a couple of years ago. This year, I smartened up and did the 5th gen brake upgrade. This was about a month ago. Painted the calipers (silver) with G2 paint and so far, so good. No rust on the caliper and braking power is great. Who designed the 4th gen brakes? I don't know, but I'm sure many of us would like to meet them........:mmph:
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For the 5th gen brake upgrade, is it just calipers, pads, and rotors?
I just dropped the truck off at the shop that did my previous set of EBC brakes- see what they say.
I agree it's something in the braking system- has to be rotors or calipers that's causing the issue.
Yep, plenty of threads on the upgrade. I bought my rotors/pads from advance since they have a mail in rebate + discount code + cash back. I'll be buying the calipers from Rock Auto.
KingPrat
New member
This is how my frozen calipers presented. Intermittent pulsing. Next time I got my oil changed I brought it up and passenger front was slightly seized.
Sounds like you're due!
Jhawkins2330
New member
Plan on checking mine tomorrow when I install my new wheel bearing. Last time I checked(5k miles ago) all looked okay. I just pulled it apart to grease and then put back together. (Damn squeaking in reverse)
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you guys that have bought 5th gen calipers, whether it be Centric or another brand, did it come with the caliper bracket?
I'm planning on painting my 5th gen calipers/brackets before installation, but if it doesn't come with a bracket that will slow down my re-installation by quite a bit. Id rather not have to stop in the middle of the install just to prep/paint the caliper brackets.
I'm planning on painting my 5th gen calipers/brackets before installation, but if it doesn't come with a bracket that will slow down my re-installation by quite a bit. Id rather not have to stop in the middle of the install just to prep/paint the caliper brackets.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
I got mine from RockAuto. Yes, it did come with a bracket.
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