Sticky caliper stuck pins

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Sticky caliper stuck pins

February 10, 2017, 01:22:10 AM

My problem child is playing up front passenger caliper keeps sticking on and can't get the caliper pins to move already snapped one torx bit off fair enough it was cheap rubbish and the wrong size t45 now got a t47 quality bit but still no joy and fear I'm going to shear the pins.the car gets little use during the winter if at all I think the piston has probably rusted as caliper moves freely after pushing the caliper piston back in and is ok but left overnight sticks on again.is there knack to getting the pins to move they haven't bin moved for at least 15years and don't want to end up stripping the front hub down.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #1 – February 10, 2017, 07:30:24 AM

It may take a few days or even a week or more, but try using something like a PB Blaster on the bolts. Just soak them every day and let it work to try to free them up. If they still don't free up after say about a week, try using some type of impact wrench to get them off. The hammering effect of the impact will sometimes work a little better than just trying to free them up with a wratchet or breaker bar. I once had a similar problem with a bottom pulley on my 2.3 turbo motor. It was rusted on to the crank shaft. It took me 2 weeks of soaking it every day to be able to get it off with a puller.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #2 – February 10, 2017, 08:32:29 AM

Yeah, a mechanic buddy of mine showed me, on those caliper bolts, a short ratchet and tapping it with a hammer will make them turn much easier than constant He-man pressure with a large ratchet or breaker.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #3 – February 10, 2017, 10:21:58 AM

What year and model is the vehicle?

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #4 – February 14, 2017, 02:42:14 AM

Finally got one out only three to go but destroyed my torx bit on the second.cleaned the pin up there was no rust on the threads but noticed thread locking compound.my manual doesn't mention this just torque them up.is it needed and what about a little heat to soften it up?.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #5 – February 14, 2017, 07:33:38 AM

Thread locking compound should not be used, especially on something that gets changed as often as brakes. A little heat would probably be helpful, but don't over do it. You don't want to overheat the caliper and damage the piston seal.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #6 – February 14, 2017, 09:09:45 AM

All of the stock Fox brakes I have taken apart have has a thread locking compound on them so I assumed it was from the factory this way. As hot as brakes get you can bet it would be some high heat compound if that is the case.

If you have a 10" brake car (again would be nice to know what we are working on) then you most likely have the torx bit caliper pins that go through the front pad, thread into the spindle, pass through the rear pad and then into the caliper body. Can you slide the caliper on the portion of the pins that pass into the caliper body? Even if it is just a 1/16" of an inch that will let you know that the caliper is not frozen to the pins. If they move then do as suggested above and heat the part of the spindle that the caliper pins bolt into. This will expand the spindle material and hopefully get them to release enough to back the pins out.

Again, letting us know what year car and model you are working on will help us help you. Without that information it like throwing darts blind folded in that we have no idea which brakes you are working on.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #7 – February 15, 2017, 01:19:05 AM

Sorry it's a 86 cougar 3.8 the set up is as you described with 10"discs.got a stubby t47 bit in s2 on order the last bit was chrome vanadium and was too long and twisted the end to a nice spiral....binned it.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #8 – February 17, 2017, 03:19:24 AM

Thanks for the help all 4 pins now out.will strip them down this weekend.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #9 – February 17, 2017, 10:55:46 AM

Good deal!! Are you gonna get new pins?

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #10 – February 17, 2017, 03:33:05 PM

The old pins are worn on the outer pad end so yes new pins also the solid brake lines are in poor condition and need replacing done this type of work before on a land rover. I take it they are 3/16 line and 10mm fittings?.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #11 – February 17, 2017, 04:19:34 PM

I believe they are SAE fittings.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #12 – February 18, 2017, 05:36:30 AM

Just striped down both calipers both full of brown sludge one side not too bad just needs cleaning up the other side the piston corroded and pitted. caliper bore also the same.i know the piston is knackered can I salvage the caliper with fine Emory cloth as the way I see it the only critical part would be the seal grove which is ok.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #13 – February 18, 2017, 07:16:43 AM

Hate to tell you but a reman caliper is only $20 list at the auto parts stores here in the US so I just usually go that route. Not sure how hard the parts are to get there. You are correct in that the caliper body is just the seal and the piston body is the sealing surface. If you can get the piston polished up and a new seal in the caliper I would say you are good to go.

Sticky caliper stuck pins

Reply #14 – February 18, 2017, 02:08:01 PM

I did look at getting a replacement caliper very cheap but heavy and very expensive to ship.will give them a good clean up new seals and pistons and see how it goes.