Rear wheel calipers - 2004 chev Epica

Tiny
VIKTOR11
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET EPICA
Both calipers do no release and burn out the brake pads, (1) can the calipers be repaired? (2) if not where can I find replacements. I live in Saskatchewan. Thanks.
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 AT 10:30 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,879 POSTS
Calipers can be rebuilt but for the last 15 - 20 years professionally rebuilt ones are very inexpensive and it doesn't pay to try to clean them and rebuild them yourself. The problem here is you haven't diagnosed anything and it's unlikely you have two that have developed a problem at the same time. You also didn't say how long the pads lasted. Was it a few years? A few weeks? What do you mean by "burned out"? Are they actually getting so hot you can feel it? If so, you should also feel that the vehicle is hard to move. When that happens, crawl underneath and open the bleeder screws on the calipers for a few seconds. If the brakes release you do not have a caliper problem. Something is restricting the brake fluid from returning to the master cylinder. The two main suspects are constricted rubber flex hoses and the brake fluid is contaminated with a petroleum product like power steering fluid, axle grease, or penetrating oil.

The next step is to get them to lock up again, then loosen the steel lines at the master cylinder. If the brakes release from there you have contaminated brake fluid. That is a very expensive repair. If they do not release, suspect the flex hoses.

If the brakes do not release by opening the bleeder screws, then you can suspect the calipers. Problems there usually occur after the pads are replaced. Rings of rust or dirt buildup on the pistons get pushed under the square-cut seal when the pistons are pushed in to make room for the new pads. That crud prevents the pistons from releasing properly. If you can't ind rebuilt calipers at a local auto parts store, try rockauto. Com.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 AT 1:42 PM

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