Ok, not a Ford...and not even a truck! 1998 Monte Carlo Z34. Left rear caliper keeps dragging/sticking. It's obviously a disk brake (caliper and rotor). I replaced the rotor that seemed to be warped, got new pads and tried to free up the caliper. After about 3 months or so, the brake pad is wore out again! You can tell it's dragging a little from the extra brake dust on that wheel. It's one of those goofy GM calipers that has the emergency brake built in. I would have bought a replacement and been done with it, but it's like $125 for a new caliper. I'd like to avoid buying a new unit unless I really have to.

Has anyone ever had one of these types of caliper stick? And what did you do to fix it, if so?

Thanks

 

Get a rebuilt caliper. A lot cheaper than new. I think replacement is the only option, assuming it is piston and not the slides which is sticking.

 

The caliper slides and hardware are common failures in GM W-Body cars. Especially in rust belt states. I doubt it's the caliper itself sticking, but rather the slides. Pull it all down, clean and lube the slides and try again.

 

If there is a rubber line, replace that.

Sounds stupid I know, but it happened to me.
The inner liner tore, and acted like a check valve. Fluid would flow to the caliper but the tore flap would not let it leave. The more pressure applied the tighter the seal it made. After replacing the caliper 3x's somebody suggested the line, I was skeptical but desperate so changed it instead of the caliper the last time. Didn't have any more problems for 3 years that I owned it and it's still going with the new owner.

 

I'd give a big diddo. Pull it apart, clean everything really well including anything that slides (i.e. the bolts if I remember that caliper correctly) and antiseize it (I like the stuff made by loctite) (the bolts and slides that is). If that doesn't fix it the piston is hanging and it will have to be either rebuilt or replaced. Rebuilding is about as expensive as getting a reman one these days so I rarely screw with them.

 

After checking Autozone's web site, I can get one for around (reman.) $65. Advance Auto Parts was listing them for $125. If it's just $65, I will probably just replace and it and forget it. It would be worth it to me since I don't have lots of free time to do this sort of thing.

This is one of those goofy calipers that screws in somehow...it's not on slides if I know what you're talking about.

 

Yeah its one of those that parking brake ratchets out the piston as you use it so that when you replace the pads you have to rotate the piston back in the right direction, correct?

I'd be careful. The cheaper one may have one of those damn fiber pistons in it (i.e. not steel). Those things are a real piece of chit. Had more than one hang up on me.


Good luck!

 

Right...that's the kind this one is.