2003 Ford Mustang Caliper stuck

JVREPAIR

MEMBER
2003 FORD MUSTANG
3.8L
V6
RWD
MANUAL
120,000 MILES

Hey hows it going I have a 2003 Mustang gt that I recently changed the left side caliper because the old was stuck and it was not letting the wheel move, so today I put on new rotors new brake pads and a new rotor and new brake hoses to see if that would fix the problem and when I put the new caliper it was doing exactly the same. So I was just wondering if you guys could help me out and/or give me tips on what I should do or what do you think the problem is thanks

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

The most common cause of a sticking caliper is the rubber flex hose, but since you changed that already, I'm worried you might have the next most common cause. Any chance the brake fluid got contaminated with a petroleum product like engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, or penetrating oil? If so, we'll have to weigh the value of the car to the cost to repair it.

The next time the brake locks up, stop on a slight incline, shift into neutral, place a block about a foot downhill of a tire so you don't look funny chasing after the car, then open the hydraulic system at various places to see where the brake fluid is being trapped. Start with the steel lines at the master cylinder, and hope that doesn't work. Next, open the bleeder screw on the sticking caliper. If that lets it release, get it to lock up again, then loosen the connection between the rubber flex hose and steel line.

If opening the caliper's bleeder screw doesn't work, look at the caliper's mounting bracket. Ford has used their share of miserable mounting designs that don't allow the caliper to slide freely. One pad can be fully released while the outer pad is being tugged against the rotor. The best you can do with some designs is to file them smooth and flat, and be sure all contact points are lubricated with high-temperature brake grease.