"The Great Brake Mystery" Help!

[Sloassmac]

So we have a 04 Limited 4x4 we bought used with 80K about a year ago. Its now got 100k. Early on we noticed if you held the brake for a long time the petal would sink and you would have to give it a pump to return to normal. Also it seemed the ABS pump was running a lot. Never had any stopping issues though. About a month ago the rear brakes started to grind so I put on my mechanic hat and went down to napa and bought the budget pads and new rotors for the rear. It went really smooth, rotors came off and went on easy, everything fit, lubed pins, etc. I got it buttoned back up and the car was pulling to the left slightly while braking and the stopping distance had decreased. I thought that's what I get for getting cheap pads and I figured a pad was dragging a little but it would work it self out. Which the pulling seemed to get better. Couple weeks later, my wife says if she holds the brake for a long time (carpool line) and lets up, the brakes aren't releasing and the car is struggling to move for couple of seconds. But returns to normal. Today, she says she smells brakes and not its squeaking. To me, the front don't seem to be going as much work as they used to. Do yall think bleeding will help? Is it the ABS pump or master cylinder? Some ABS Valve? Parking Brake dragging? I've heard a slew of answers but I figured id give it one more shot before I take it to the mechanic. Thanks!

 

[sonerick]

Sounds like maybe a frozen/sticking caliper piston. Definitely a common issue among 4th gens. Best way to test is to remove wheels and try to compress the pads on the caliper as if you are going to remove them for a brake job. If they compress, they're prob not frozen and it might be another issue. If they don't compress, prob frozen and might need to be replaced.

Sometimes if the caliper is sticking the wheel will feel warm to the touch after a drive.