right wheel spins easily, left wheel not so much

[mixwhit]

I heard a weird noise from the front end the other day and have also felt some pulsing in the brakes at the end of a stop. So today I pulled the wheels off to take a look.

Brakes are fine. Plenty of pad. 1/4" at least.

But when I was putting the wheels back on I noticed that while the front right wheel turns quite freely, the left takes effort to turn. I don't know which is right (if either), but they are definitely different.

Any ideas? Something to worry about?

I should note that I found one other issue while investigating. The upper part of the long bolt that connects the stabilizer bar to the control arm is missing, so the two parts are unconnected. The link between the two is still connected to the control arm, just not the stabilizer bar. This is on the right side. Unrelated to the wheel issue I believe, but just in case. This is probably the source of the noise I heard.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The left caliper is probably seized. You could unbolt the caliper and make sure the slides aren't seized.
The stabalizer end link should be replaced. That would be the noise (clunk or rattle while hitting bumps or turning).
The left rotor is probably warped due to the caliper not releasing. That would be your brake pedal pulsation.

 

[mixwhit]

The left caliper is probably seized. You could unbolt the caliper and make sure the slides aren't seized.
The stabalizer end link should be replaced. That would be the noise (clunk or rattle while hitting bumps or turning).
The left rotor is probably warped due to the caliper not releasing. That would be your brake pedal pulsation.

'slide' = piston? I'm not sure what the slide is. How do I check to see if it seized? Put a c-clamp on it and try to push it in?

thanks

 

[mixwhit]

ah, ok, i've got it. i took it more apart and see what you mean. you were totally right. the upper slide boot was loose and the slide itself is rusty. when i loosened the lower bolt (after removing the upper) and rotated the caliper off, the upper slide didn't even move.

i've got it out. it looks like there's a small seal of some kind on the slide (not part of the boot). it looks torn. i presume if i get some grease on there and a new seal i'll be good (presuming the rotor isn't too warped).

thanks!

 

[robertc1024]

Bleed?

One thing that can cause that too is if there's air in your brake line on the side that doesn't turn easily. I had a similar problem on my car - one side was tight and the pads were way more worn. Bled both sides - got air out of the worn side - now it's good. Good Luck.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The slide pins should slide easily. I either wire wheel them or replace them if they are to bad. I then use brake lube which is a really sticky synthetic grease to lube the pins. Once you have the pins moving freely, put the caliper back on and pump up the brakes and see if the tire then moves freely. If it doesn't, you may need a caliper.

 

[fangotango306]

copper anti sieze works good on them too. they are prettycheap to buy at an auto parts store and they usually come in packs of 4 with the bolts too.

 

[AllanD]

Personally I goober up my caliper pins with "Green Grease", that slimy
synthetic marine grease.

And yeah, I have the same two piston calipers you have.

I just discarded one caliper bracket because one
pin is well and truely stuck inside it...

For me I HAD a spare caliper bracket and it was easier to replace than repair.

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