Bad Brake Fluid Leak. I have a bad Rotor. Could rotor cause bad leak?

[Angry Possum]

I have a bad rotor that needs to be changed because it's wiped out, now I sprung a very bad leak by the tire under the master cylinder area. Currently I can't see where it's coming from. Could it be a coincidence, or is the bad rotor causing the leak.

 

[RobbieD]

If brake fluid is leaking from the caliper it usually runs down the inside sidewall of the tire.

I can't see a rotor really having anything to do with a fluid leak.

 

[Angry Possum]

I just read that if the rotor or brakes are really bad it could cause the seals to over extend the piston and cause a leak in the seals. It makes sense.

 

[franklin2]

If you keep driving it with a problem like that, anything could happen. You must not have inspections in your area? I hate them in my area, but I guess they are there for a reason.

 

[Ranger850]

by the tire under the master cylinder area.

Master Cylinder is up on the fire wall, not by the tire.
Is your leak at the front or rear tires?

I just read that if the rotor or brakes are really bad it could cause the seals to over extend the piston and cause a leak in the seals. It makes sense.

If the rotor is too thin, and the pads are almost gone, then the pistons can be pushed out too far, causing them to leak. Same with Drums and shoes, if the shoes have worn too thin, the wheel cylinder can be pushed too far, causing the boots to leak.

 

[Angry Possum]

Master Cylinder is up on the fire wall, not by the tire.
Is your leak at the front or rear tires?

If the rotor is too thin, and the pads are almost gone, then the pistons can be pushed out too far, causing them to leak. Same with Drums and shoes, if the shoes have worn too thin, the wheel cylinder can be pushed too far, causing the boots to leak.

Thru further inspection, The leak is running by the inside of the tire. I just ordered a rebuilt caliper. I think I overextended the piston seals due to the bad rotor and bad brakes.

 

[Angry Possum]

If you keep driving it with a problem like that, anything could happen. You must not have inspections in your area? I hate them in my area, but I guess they are there for a reason.

We do have inspections here, the problem was I couldn't take the rotor off because the key was stuck under the spindle nut and I couldn't remove the rotor. It will all be fixed shortly, the right way.

 

[Angry Possum]

I wonder for now if I replace the worn inner brake on the bad rotor, ( in which i have an extra inner pad available), will the leak stop and be reseated till I get it home? I'm just about 3 miles from my residence. Or do you think the caliper seal is just defective now?

 

[Ranger850]

I wonder for now if I replace the worn inner brake on the bad rotor, which i have an extra inner pad, will the leak stop, till I get it home. I'm about 5 miles from residence. Or is the caliper just shot now?

I would replace both inner and outer pads for this experiment. The more material in the caliper, closing the gap, the better.

as long as the caliper slides in and out/back and forth, it should be good.

 

[Angry Possum]

I would replace both inner and outer pads for this experiment. The more material in the caliper, closing the gap, the better.

as long as the caliper slides in and out, it should be good.

Good call. But I only have extra inners. For what it's worth, The outer pad is pretty much decent.

 

[Ranger850]

Good call. But I only have extra inners. For what it's worth, The outer pad is pretty much decent.

Then just be careful when driving the short distance home. Too much pressure on the brake pedal could cause another blowout, which could become a dangerous situation.

 

[franklin2]

Good call. But I only have extra inners. For what it's worth, The outer pad is pretty much decent.

That is a sign the caliper is locked up in the bracket and not sliding. Just make sure when you finally get to replacing the caliper, clean the slides up, and lubricate them so the caliper is free to move in the bracket. The caliper only has a piston on one side, so to apply the other side pad, the whole caliper has to move in the bracket.

 

[Angry Possum]

That is a sign the caliper is locked up in the bracket and not sliding. Just make sure when you finally get to replacing the caliper, clean the slides up, and lubricate them so the caliper is free to move in the bracket. The caliper only has a piston on one side, so to apply the other side pad, the whole caliper has to move in the bracket.

Do you think the caliper will stop leaking fluid if I just put on the new inner brake pad that's wiped out from the rotor.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Have you even taken the tire off and inspected things?

It could very well be the rubber brake line leaking... or the steel line.

Also... if you wore the brakes down to the point that it popped a caliper piston seal. There is about zero you can really do with a single inner brake pad to fix the thing.

 

[Angry Possum]

Have you even taken the tire off and inspected things?

It could very well be the rubber brake line leaking... or the steel line.

Also... if you wore the brakes down to the point that it popped a caliper piston seal. There is about zero you can really do with a single inner brake pad to fix the thing.

I'll know tomorrow. Didn't take tire off yet. But I'm assuming the caliper seal is bad.