Frozen caliper

[Exekiel69]

This happened to Me twice already, if i don't drive the truck for a couple months one or both front brake calipers freeze. The first time I replaced them but this are even a year old. Is there a way to un-freeze them.

Thank You.

 

[tractorman86]

frozen? the piston won't move or are they hanging up on the sliders?

 

[Russ]

Check the rubber brake hoses. They will deteriorate over time. The rubber breaks down and a little "flap" of rubber inside the hose can cause a "one way valve" letting pressure be applied to the brakes but stop the flow of fluid on the back side keeping the pressure on the pads. Happened to my dads 97.

 

[razorback]

have you flushed the system out? i would definately do that if the calipers keep freezing

 

[Exekiel69]

I replaced 1 hose but now bc it was bad but just to maintain it. The pads are applying braking power even when I'm not pressing the pedal it isn't too bad but I can smell it. The system fluid isn't old I have done work on it several times and always bleed lots of fluid but I'll try removing the wheels and pushing some fluid through it maybe they'll loosen up.

Thank You.

 

[subway]

i had this happen a while back to me to, i also just replace the calipers with loaded ones. i let it go to long (short on money) and ended up trashing the roters with heat cracking so they got replaced to.

just an idea but couldent you pull them and work them in with a brake pad tool. that should break them loose.

i would like to know what causes this currosion the caliper bore, junk in the brake fluid or what since it wasent the hoses in my case and is an expensive fix, around $300 IIRC.

 

[towcat]

ez-
how old is the master cylinder?

 

[Exekiel69]

Calvin this one I have it for many years now. The hoses are new now, I tried to work them IN and then bleed them but now the pedal won't come back up so I guess they are frozen again.

I see there is a rebuild kit for $12 compared to $45 for a rebuild caliper. I remember reading some one here always saying now to rebuild them a home for some reason, what do You guys think?

Thank You.

 

[subway]

sounds like a nice little tech article, might give some insight to what happened.

 

[towcat]

ez-
i'm suspecting the master or the proportioning valve is not letting the pressure back off.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Sad to say, but I have had my share of issues with Ford calipers deciding to freeze up, eat rotors, smoke, scoot wheels, etc.

I have also known of numerous other peoples calipers doing the same, all Fords of one kind or another.

I honestly think it is a problem with Fords design.

I have old ancient Chevys and Dodges around here with the original calipers and they still function like new.


Considering the age of these trucks, it is just good business to go ahead and replace all of the brake-hoses, preferably with braided stainless.

Also, there are sliding points on the calipers that one should grease at regular intervals and not just when they are off for whatever reason.


Still again, even with good hoses and good caliper maintenance, these calipers are prone to hanging up, either just dragging or completely refusing to release.

 

[Exekiel69]

I think it is the calipers since I can see they don't come back easily even when I push them back. Since there seems to be no way to reuse this I'll play with them a bit to understand better how they work. If it where not this but the proportioning valve what other symptoms should I look for? I always bleed it before and the brakes where working when I drove the truck its just that I could feel the drag and smell some smoke coming form them little but definitely there.

Thank You.

 

[Michael Fowler]

Next time you come in from a run, loosen a bleeder on one of the front calipers. If fluid squirts out, I would be suspcious of the check valve in the Master cyl.

 

[Exekiel69]

Well I replaced both front calipers and even when I thought it was better while bleeding it when I tested it the brakes are still holding it so it must be something else You where right Calvin.
If I replace the master cylinder, what would be best the stock one for My 93? Keep in mind I have hydroboosted brakes so maybe it would be better to use the master cylinder for an f450 of the same year? This one has worked perfect until this happened but it was good for more than 2 years since I did the hydroboost and I was using the same ever since I got the truck years before so is it ok to buy the same? Any way to test it so I don't just trow parts at it?

Thank You.

 

[sassyrel]

me say the mc residual is south--try the new mc--i have never in all the years ive worked on ford vehicles--seeen a bad proportioning valve---serious---but ive seen all sorts of idiocycnrocies with mc's-----