Frozen calipers - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

polyarkos · #1 14-01-2017

Hi team,

I went to replace my front hubs and pads but couldn't get the brake calipers off the rotors.

I had to clamp/compress them while bleeding the fluid before they would come off (with a lot of effort and swearing I might add).

How do I know if it's the pistons or the caliper pins causing the issue?

I need to sort this asap as the brakes are very noisy and you can hear them binding below 60kph.

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

Grippy · #2 14-01-2017

Does the hub and wheel get hot when driving? If it's binding you will smell it and feel it. Mine binded and made the wheel very bloody hot.
As for the rebuild, easy as, caliper off, block of wood in the caliper, chuck a towel over it and use compressed air to pop the Pistons out, reseal and bang the Pistons back in. The kits are cheap and available at PBR

sent from my WG Grand Cherokee using the ausjeepoffroad app

polyarkos · #3 14-01-2017

Yes, gets hot and smells burnt.

So it's the pistons that get stuck and not the slide pins?

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

bodgie · #4 14-01-2017

The slide pings should be clean a shiny if they are OK, it they are rusty or have dry grease on them I'd suspect that would be a problem.

12 months ago I rebuilt my front calipers. I spent the cash and replaced the pistons as they show considerable signs of wear. If you don't need them in a hurry you can purchase much cheaper from the US of A.

SteveT · #5 14-01-2017

The pistons have a coating on them which can wear off after some time.... I had to replace the pistons as mine locked on. The disc's actually glowed from the heat and so I replaced the disc's as well as they became warped and new brake pads as they crumbled from the heat as well.... You can buy a overhaul kit for the brakes which will include the pistons from some brake shops or from a jeep parts supplier.....

ruffy01 · #6 15-01-2017

LOL
Just found this thread after putting my brakes back together.
One piston seized in its bore on the front right.
Compressed air wouldn't budge it so I reconnected the brake line and pushed it out (gently/carefully) with a few pumps of the brake pedal.
The caliper and pistons didn't look too bad (the rotor, on the other hand, not great) so I cleaned them up and reassembled.
I think the coating on the pistons was showing signs of wear.
Seems OK for now.

You'll be able to tell if it's the pistons or slide pins fairly quickly.

I'm going to go for new rotors, pads and Akebono calipers.

Good luck polyarkos,
Ruffy.

Straubz · #7 16-01-2017

Just had my rear calipers rebuilt, i was told that the pistons can swell slightly causing them to jam and it was common for the material that they are made from.