Stuck Disk Brakes

[caliskier]

I just replaced the disc brakes on my 94 ranger / B3000. I still have it up on stands but pressed on the brakes to test. I released the brakes and the driver side is hard to turn by hand the other side is really hard to turn by hand (tires not on yet) Is there something I can do to loosen these up?

Do i need to bleed? I did not do that. Rear drum brakes replaced at the same time.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

Might be time for a new set of calipers. They should be dirt cheap. I know they were when I replaced them on my 84.

Josh

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, the wheels should spin freely. Bleeding the brakes is only needed when a line has been opened. If you crack the banjo bolt off the caliper and the wheels begin to spin freely you need new calipers.

You probably need new calipers anyway. Make sure to change out your brake fluid at the same time or the new ones will corrode and lock up faster than they should. One really big bottle of brake fluid will do the job. Grab a big one and a little one just to be safe.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

you need to replace the calipers and clean the slides.. and flush fluid out until its clean by bleeding brakes until it comes clean at all 4 bleeders

 

[caliskier]

Yeah, the wheels should spin freely. Bleeding the brakes is only needed when a line has been opened. If you crack the banjo bolt off the caliper and the wheels begin to spin freely you need new calipers.

You probably need new calipers anyway. Make sure to change out your brake fluid at the same time or the new ones will corrode and lock up faster than they should. One really big bottle of brake fluid will do the job. Grab a big one and a little one just to be safe.

thanks for all your posts, the local Auto store told me a new caliper would be $17 so not bad at all. Should I do both sides? The one side is really bad, the other just scrapes, not near as bad.

 

[adsm08]

I'd do both at that price. Once one is stuck the other isn't far behind it usually.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

Yep, I was taught that it is best to replace brake components in pairs for that reason.

Josh

 

[caliskier]

Thanks, lots of great help here

 

[basilfaulty]

You should replace the hoses while you're at it.

 

[caliskier]

One other question, if you replace a rotor should you also replace the bearings at the same time?

 

[06RangerXLT]

I just replaced the disc brakes on my 94 ranger / B3000. I still have it up on stands but pressed on the brakes to test. I released the brakes and the driver side is hard to turn by hand the other side is really hard to turn by hand (tires not on yet) Is there something I can do to loosen these up?

Do i need to bleed? I did not do that. Rear drum brakes replaced at the same time.

grease and clean the slides, and when the caliper is off, you should be able to push the pistons in by hand. if you cant, its time for new ones.

 

[det107]

.....you should be able to push the pistons in by hand. if you cant, its time for new ones.

I always have used a C-clamp to push in caliper pistons-

 

[06RangerXLT]

I always have used a C-clamp to push in caliper pistons-

c clamp is an easy way, but to tell if the pistons are sliding freely, you gotta check it by hand. i can squeeze mine in by hand.

 

[Tedybear]

Replace the wheel bearings at the same time the rotors are replaced. (If they are the 2wd type that are built into the rotor). The bearings wear into their seats over time, so old bearings into a new rotor's wheel bearing race will cause extreme wear quick.

Note that if you remove the banjo bolt, and you get a large backflush of fluid that appears to be under pressure? That points towards a different problem. (something would be holding 'fluid pressure'). Most likely the caliper piston didn't like being seated and has frozen. It happens quite a bit. As mentioned, do them in sets for peace of mind...and equal 'gripping'.

S-

 

[06RangerXLT]

Replace the wheel bearings at the same time the rotors are replaced. (If they are the 2wd type that are built into the rotor). The bearings wear into their seats over time, so old bearings into a new rotor's wheel bearing race will cause extreme wear quick.

Note that if you remove the banjo bolt, and you get a large backflush of fluid that appears to be under pressure? That points towards a different problem. (something would be holding 'fluid pressure'). Most likely the caliper piston didn't like being seated and has frozen. It happens quite a bit. As mentioned, do them in sets for peace of mind...and equal 'gripping'.

S-

x2

old parts never cooperate