Wierd Brakes

[ToF]

I finally got my car on the road after it's been sitting in the garage for a few weeks and now my brakes feel weaker. The pedal is much harder than before, not as hard as when the cars off but it is much harder than it was before and has less "feel" to it. Also now when you press the brakes you can hear a very loud squeaking from both front calipers. Brake fluid is still full.

Anyone know what could be wrong?

Thanks guys.

[MR R33]

im thinking its rust build up on the pads, but if you keep driving it, it should go away as the pads start to rub on the discs again.

[ToF]

I don't think its rust, there was a fair bit of rust on the discs but that came off straight away. Also that night I drove it I went through the mountains too, so I did more braking than your usual daily drive to the milkbar . So I guess that would cancel out rusty pads?

Any other ideas?

EDIT: In case you don't understand, the loud squeaking isn't only when your driving, it happens all the time, even when your not moving and just pressing the brakes on the spot. I can't explain it, it sort of sounds like a rusted spring being compressed.

Edited January 1, 2006 by ToF

[benm]

Siezed pistons?

[Duncan]

Yeah thats what I think too, maybe only 1 or 2 of the 4 in each caliper.

[ToF]

So they are siezed from rust I'm guessing? If so what is to stop this from happening again after I get them fixed?

[benm]

They can be seized just from heavy use/abuse and heat.

Good quality pads, fluid, braided lines and new caliper seals may do the trick.

[johnblack33]

dude im having the EXACT same problem .. its f*kt!!! i just got all 4 pads replaced and now my car squeaking like a cuunt wen i brake!!!! and abs wanna charge me

$940 2 get it fixt... GEETTT FKT!!!! ...bbut yeh... cheaper solutions ive been told are 2 get the rotors machined... and yeh replace calipers as my front ones have seized! - jt

[ToF]

So I guess they are siezed then. Where do I go from here, can I get the calipers fixed or do I need new ones?

Edited January 2, 2006 by ToF

[AzzurrA]

mine have this same problem...

you can get the calipers rebuilt... i don't believe its an overly expensive exercise... there's a few threads on here about it actually... have a bit of a search

Jason

[ToF]

Thats good news I guess, I'll have a look.

Thanks mate.

[markimak]

also chek ur master cylinder.. hard pedal. screwin up diaphram. it might be ur calipers but just check ot to be safe

caliper recon kit for single piston cars like camry are only $50 or so.. see nissan they should have a part number for a kit.

[ToF]

I still haven't got around to getting this fixed yet but I've now noticed something.

The brakes are normal when u first start it and drive for the frist 2 minutes, then I'm guessing when the brake fluid gets hot and the calipers get seized.

Anyone have any idea why it will only happen after a minute of driving?

Edited February 3, 2006 by ToF

[fooey]

How do the pistons just seize? From overuse? I would have thought the pads would just wear away faster... unless its mismatched pads to discs?

P.S what do you mean by sieze? Does it just constantly brake?

Edited February 4, 2006 by fooey

[benm]

From abuse, ie lots of heavy braking, lots of heat, general wear and tear (10-15yo cars).

[markimak]

when metal heats up it expands so does the fluid.. not by much also the fluid gets thiner.. like ur slave cylinder might leak one day when its really hot.. im guessing the rubber that brings the piston back to original position within the caliper is not workin and when the caliper heats up it seizes clamped and doesnt get brought back in.. sorry forget the proper names

[[SKYXTC]]

I believe I am having the same problem as this too and have been told its due to sticky callipers...

found a place that rebuilds the callipers for i think $35 each for backs and $40 each for fronts..somethin like that + parts (pistons if these r gone)... these r trade prices...if ne1 needs i can give them the number of this place...i will be taking my callipers there in a weeks time

[ToF]

Does this place do the whole job or do we have to take off the caliper ourselfs and drop it off to them?

Either way could you let me know their contact details.

Thanks

[ToF]

Umm... I just went to get a quote by my local ABS centre today.

They quoted me $300 + parts for the strip and over-haul of my 2 front calipers and flush and bleeding. That's drive in and drive out.

I asked for the price if I just brought the calipers in, $88 + parts each.

Just wondering if you guys think $88 is reasonable?

[markimak]

$88 is approx 1.5h of work for a workshop like ABS. dealers r $98 p/Hour. so all they r doing is taken them apart and new seals.. u still need to bleed them.