Frozen Calipers - How many others had this problem?

[BlackWorksInc]

Now when you say it was stuck, was it solely the outside edge of the piston where the seal fits in? Could you provide some closer pictures of the piston and bore? I am very interested to see how exactly these suckers are getting stuck, from the way you explained it it seems like it would not want to go back in, but be fine to come out.

Another thing to mention, rebuilding your calipers is not that hard, most people think you need tons of special tools and stuff... truth be told you spend more time cleaning the caliper than you do getting the seals and stuff seated.

Small tip, next time you wanna get the pistons out, thik wooden block between the pistons, used compressed air in the brake line inlet hose to pop them out. The wood is extremely important as they will fly like rockets!

 

[V8Limited4wd]

I finally had my front pads replaced at 79k miles... And thankfully no seized calipers for now. The rear pads were still good. Only thing I'm worrying about now is my front left xreas shock has a tiny leak... Can see a small film of oil around it.

 

[popalzai]

Dont know if caliper is frozen

Well i hear high pitch noise from rear end and i can feel it only when windows are closed it is not obvious sound but i know its there... and it does not change with brake pressed...i think my rear caliper or calipers are frozen as my rear pads are almost finished conmpared with front ones...how to find out exacly that my caliper is frozn?

 

[jstutz101]

Well i hear high pitch noise from rear end and i can feel it only when windows are closed it is not obvious sound but i know its there... and it does not change with brake pressed...i think my rear caliper or calipers are frozen as my rear pads are almost finished conmpared with front ones...how to find out exacly that my caliper is frozn?

It might not be a frozen caliper. You could try removing each caliper and pushing the piston in. If it dosent budge thats you frozen claiper. On mine it was in the front (two pistons). It was easier to find since the pad was worn uneven.

Noise from the rear could be differential bearings.....

Good Luck!

 

[popalzai]

i dont think its differential bearing as it starts after 5 minutes of driving after cold start and does not change with speed change..i know how differntial bearing sound is felt as i had ford explorer with differential problem

 

[jstutz101]

i dont think its differential bearing as it starts after 5 minutes of driving after cold start and does not change with speed change..i know how differntial bearing sound is felt as i had ford explorer with differential problem

Funny you should post that cause I never had differential trouble with my 4runner, I sold my Ford Exploder because of bearing trouble!

 

[popalzai]

It might not be a frozen caliper. You could try removing each caliper and pushing the piston in. If it dosent budge thats you frozen claiper. On mine it was in the front (two pistons). It was easier to find since the pad was worn uneven.

Noise from the rear could be differential bearings.....

Good Luck!

I got my rear rotors and pads replaced from local mechanic..when on lift with new pads and rotors installed when i rotate both rear tires they did not rotate freely and i could hear slight rubbing of pads with rotors..mechanic says its normal but i think that caliper is jammed a bit...is it normal that the pads rub slightly with rotors in open position?

how do i exactly check if a caliper is frozen?

 

[LB4Runner05]

I changed my front calipers at 112 k and have had no issue except for the pins just like when I did the fronts at 62k. I cut the pins with my rec saw and just tapped them out. It's a pretty easy job if you have replacement pins.

 

[LB4Runner05]

I got my rear rotors and pads replaced from local mechanic..when on lift with new pads and rotors installed when i rotate both rear tires they did not rotate freely and i could hear slight rubbing of pads with rotors..mechanic says its normal but i think that caliper is jammed a bit...is it normal that the pads rub slightly with rotors in open position?

how do i exactly check if a caliper is frozen?

If you can press each of the caliper cylinders in with a c clamp pressing down with the old brake pad then they are good. If the cylinder does not revert back in with no leakage then they are bad.

 

[Paulie6909]

my front passenger just seized up last monday...my uncle owns a garage and he said he couldn't even pull it off...he had to beat it off with a rubber mallet

 

[thegreatdivorce]

Is there some kind of preventative maintenance I can do to prevent this?

I've noticed that when leaving a stoplight, there's a little clunk/thump/resistance feeling that I'm guessing is the brakes. I'd rather them NOT just freeze up.

 

[4Rfor4]

Upgrade to tundra calipers

Anyone done an upgrade on their 4th Gen to Tundra calipers? I've heard of people doing it with success on earlier models

 

[stanleybb50]

Is there some kind of preventative maintenance I can do to prevent this?

I've noticed that when leaving a stoplight, there's a little clunk/thump/resistance feeling that I'm guessing is the brakes. I'd rather them NOT just freeze up.

Grease your driveshaft fittings and/or search for driveshaft clunk.


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[stanleybb50]

Anyone done an upgrade on their 4th Gen to Tundra calipers? I've heard of people doing it with success on earlier models

Yes, do a search. I believe you need tge 17'' wheels however.


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[LB4Runner05]

my front passenger just seized up last monday...my uncle owns a garage and he said he couldn't even pull it off...he had to beat it off with a rubber mallet

When I did my fronts I had to beet it pretty bad. It's easier when you cut the pins off though.

 

[stanleybb50]

When I did my fronts I had to beet it pretty bad. It's easier when you cut the pins off though.

^^^ Sounds like a personal problem... lol



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[NCSCOTT]

Well I've joined the long list of Calipers freezing up. I was set to replace all 4 rotors and new pads all the way around this morning and found the right front inboard pistons frozen/rusted in place. The outboard pistons moved freely. The left front caliper was not frozen at all, but I replaced it anyway. The rear caliper where both good.

I was able to find replacement calipers for $60 each after a $50 online discount with advanced for purchases over $150 using promo code "VISA". I found that code on Coupon codes and discounts for 100,000 online stores! RetailMeNot.com Then picked them up in the store 30 mins later!! I used replacement calipers with the casting # 13WL instead of the 13WGs that were the factory castings on mine. The WGs were $40 more each than the WLs. The only difference is the angle of the brake line fitting/mounting area. I was easily able to carefully bend the hard line to work with the different angle of the WLs. They mounted right up and everything works great!!!

Thanks to all that posted about the differences between the 13WG and 13WL calipers. The 13WH are for the 13.3" rotors primarily on the sport editions but some have posted they have been found on the Limiteds and SR5s here and there.

 

[charlier180]

Had my 4Runner in to the dealer for it's annual state inspection yesterday. As part of that inspection, I asked them to check all the calipers to make sure they were operating properly. After the work was complete I was told that one of the pistons on the right front caliper was frozen. The dealer checked with the extended warranty company (Toyota Platinum Warranty) who authorized the work be done under the warranty. Now I an just waiting for the part to come in. According to the service writer, it appears that the brake rotor and pads are okay and will not have to be replaced.

SO Glad I bought the Extended Warranty with all the work that has been done to my 4Runner over the years.

 

[Elchopperfreak]

I live in Puerto Rico, no salt on the road, no snow, fine road system.
The truck is a 2004 Sport 17" wheels, V8 ( belongs to my mother)
They live about 20 miles away from the coast ( no ocean salt spray either)
A few months ago the front passengers caliper was grinding on metal, went and bought the pads, whe. i took off the wheel one side was at metal and rotor grooved badly, the pistons semmed tight but some wire brushing, pb blaster and brake cleaner and the pressed back in, I did pump the out a couple times and brought them back in.
When I tried on the drivers side the piston was stuck ( I think its lower inner?) after a few hours os elbow grease and forcing, the piston went in, did the same as passengers side and all was fine.
Today, she drives in and same grinding noise fron drivers side, the pads were well over 50% since it was only a few months ago I changed them. Rotor is gone, outer pad is metal ( now that I think about it both cases was the outer side)
Went and bought new pads ( since the lifetime Autozone warranty is void if they reach metal) and rotor.
I am popping out the pistons, honing the caliper and putting the back with a new kit ( maybe) all three popped out easy, but theres one that might need fire..

Anyway, thats why I joined this forum..( doing a search for stuck 4 runner caliper)
What year Tundra just in case?
Ill report the progress once Im done ( prob got to do the other side as well)

 

[scarface]

Front Froze Last Week

I have an 05 Sport V8 with 49k miles on it. My front left caliper froze last week. It went from braking fine to grinding relatively quickly. It cost me a new caliper, 2 new discs and new pads. I just assumed that is an older vehicle and sh*t happens.

BTW, I love my T4R, except for the gas mileage, of course.