Brakes are sticking

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

There are a few reasons brakes hang up. A sticking piston in the caliper, a collapsed rubber brake line, corroded slides, or rust build up under the hardware causing the pads to stick.

When you replaced the brakes, were the pads loose in the caliper so they were able to move? I have seen some that I had to use a hammer to remove. If they were loose, the next most common problem is that the slide pins on the caliper are frozen or corroded and not allowing them to move. Did you clean and lubricate the slides? Were they free moving?
If they were, next is the caliper pistons. One caliper is new, so I will assume it is good. The original one may be an issue. Here is what I want you to do: Safely lift the front wheels off the ground. Have a helper press the brake. Try turning each wheel. Both should be locked. Next, have the helper release the brake pedal and try spinning each wheel. If they are still locked or have a heavy drag, remove the wheels. Repeat the process but this time when the brakes are released and the rotor will not turn, open one bleeder to see if pressure is released and you can turn the rotor. Do this on both sides. If the rotor turns when the bleeder is opened, replace the rubber brake hose to the caliper. They can collapse internally allowing pressure to apply the brakes to get through, but are blocked enough that there is not enough pressure to release. Thus, the brakes stick on.

I have to be honest, and this is from experience, most often, rust builds on the caliper mount (where the brake hardware and pads fit). The rust expands causing the hardware to become tight against the pads and causing them to freeze. Since the car sat, make sure that is not what is happening. I always take a file to all surfaces where the hardware and pads mount.

Here is a link that discusses in general how to replace front brakes. Just added it in case you wanted to make sure everything went together properly.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-front-brake-pads-and-rotors-fwd

Do this and let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe

Make sure when checking to open the bleeder to see if they release. I think the hoses are the problem.

Let me know. I am interested in knowing if that is the problem.

Take care,
Joe