Brake Help Asap Please!

bkjt05 · Nov 21, 2008

Hey guys, been part of the forum for awhile, but havent posted much at all...anyways after hearing griding when i hit the brakes, i figured it was time for new pads, or at least for winter, then i plan on new rotors etc.

anyways today i installed new pads, and after driving home from my bros (where i installed them) i noticed my passenger side smelt bad and was smoking, my dad said it was the caliper hanging up not letting the brake release therefor catching etc?

what can i do to get rid of this without buying new anything! i dont have the money for anything else, just wanted pads for winter then i can do the rest. i tried driving around and hitting the brakes hard, soft, tapping, etc to break it looose, but no luck!

Help please...

THANKS

Mark_88 · Nov 21, 2008

Check the fluid level to see if you have too much in the reservoir...pushing the caliper in to clear the new pads forces the brake fluid back up into the reservoir and if you just topped it up there may be too much in it...you can siphon some off to the proper level in that case...

Maybe post the year of your truck...different years may have different symptoms depending on the vehicle specs...but it could be your caliper(s) needs to be replaced...

Edit: One other thing...the flex line could be crimped or worn to the point of causing the line to act as a check valve...this was posted not too long ago and I just remembered it...but the line to the caliper (flex line) may be causing the problem if the brake fluid level is OK...and those lines are fairly inexpensive to replace...but you'll have to bleed the lines (not a big job either...about $20 if you buy a one-man bleeder kit)...

bkjt05 · Nov 21, 2008

its a 2003 fx4....i also notice it seems to go to the left while driving...seems like the brake is sticking on that side? when i pushed the calipers in to fit over the new pads, they moved pretty easily, everthing seems fine...then i got out and smelt it, told my dad about it so we drove around the block a couple times, and its just my pass side...

Mark_88 · Nov 21, 2008

just posted an update on my post...the flex line may be causing this...someone else posted something similar in the Brakes forum...

bkjt05 · Nov 21, 2008

i did top off my brake fluid, maybe i added to much...is it safe to drive until i get time to pull it back apart and check it out??? i drive my truck for work bout 50 miles a day?

Shran · Nov 21, 2008

No, if it's smoking, you definitely have a problem that you need to fix before you drive it around anymore.

LittleBigFoot · Nov 21, 2008

I did the brakes on my buddy's 99 5.0 Exploder. His driver side rear caliper was locked up. I pulled the piston and cleaned it up. There was some thick black shit in spots. Most likely melted boot. But after that it was fine and hasn't given him trouble since.

Mark_88 · Nov 21, 2008

It's probably safe....so to speak, but you're wearing out your pads and overheating the rotors, grease fittings, and that can lead to bearing wear/tires falling off...

I'd try to checking the fluid first...if it's overfull it can cause brake drag...and you can just siphon it off to the proper level...

If it's not over-full you may need to have the flex line replaced...

bkjt05 · Nov 21, 2008

i think it might be the fluid, but its wierd cause its only the pass side? otherwise ill take it apart and clean it up? its already dark n freezing here in Ne so i cant do anything tonight, and i work bright n early.

is there anything i can do it it tonight to maybe free it up? wd-40 or something???

Sasquatch_Ryda · Nov 21, 2008

If the caliper is seized junk it, not too much you can do it free it up, it will keep sticking. Reman calipers aren't that expensive.

Mark_88 · Nov 21, 2008

WD will probably not help and add to the smell once it heats up...unless you find the caliper has debris in it like LittleBigFoot mentioned...but you'll need to remove the caliper and check the piston and that requires taking things apart anyways...

Checking the fluid and siphoning off excess is the only thing you can do without dismantling the brakes again...and that is easy enough...and can be done in about five minutes...if the fluid is not beyond the MAX line then that is NOT the issue...it would be debris in the caliper piston, the flex line, or maybe even the caliper itself...but if it just happened after changing the pads then it's probably one of the three things listed...

Rangerman4158 · Nov 21, 2008

You need to check your caliper slide pins they are bad about sticking and causing over heating if the pin don't slide free you need to put some brake slide grease on it and it should help with your problem

Rangerman4158 · Nov 21, 2008

and also check and make sure that the brake line is not twisted and in a circle that will cause restriction in the line and slow the flow of the fluid

bkjt05 · Nov 21, 2008

what are the caliper slide pins??? also, i just went outside and sprayed PB blaster all over the brake etc and drove it around the block hitting the brakes etc, didnt pull to that side and when i got home and got out, didnt smell and taking a flashlight to it didnt show any signs of smoke?

i think tomorrow when i get off, ill go back to my brothers(garage) and take it apart again and clean it all out...

Rangerman4158 · Nov 21, 2008

The bolt that you took off to get the caliper off is attached to a pin that slides in and out of the caliper bracket there is a rubber seal that goes around it and it is probably not a good idea to spray PB blaster on the rotor it'll cause the pads to seperate

Brake Help Asap Please!

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