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Another "I don't know what I'm doing" thread

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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 03:27 PM
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Default Another "I don't know what I'm doing" thread

So I take the front wheels off to spray some brake cleaner on the rotors to see if I can stop the squeal, and noticed it's not easy to turn the rotors by hand (by using the lugs), and the passenger side is harder to turn than the drivers side, (so THAT'S why it's been pulling to that side ).

How easy is it for you guys to turn your rotors by hand (2wd)

Pads and rotors have about 10k on them. Are my calipers sticking?

Read just now about brake dressing, what IS belt dressing, a lube?

I don't understand the instructions on how to spray it in the hole WITHOUT getting any on the pads?!?!

Will brake dressing free up the calipers?
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:00 PM
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I guess I will take the calipers off and see if it spins any easier, if so, that's my problem.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:08 PM
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I have never heard of brake dressing. I would never spray anything on the rotors other than brake cleaner. You have a caliper issue and possibly a brake hose problem. New calipers are cheap and easy to replace. Bleeders up, never forget that.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:10 PM
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You should be able to turn the wheels easily, although they won't spin like a roulette wheel If you drive your Jeep for 5-10 miles and then get out and put your hand on the wheel near the centre, is it hot to the touch?
I'd do that before taking the calipers apart, especially if your disks/pads look OK you're not confident.

EDIT: Hmm, Squealing... sounds like you do have a binding brake, make sure it's not just a stone or something wedged in there.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:11 PM
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Guess I will get new calipers at NAPA, hope they're not junk.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:13 PM
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Napa usually has good stuff. Brands like Raybestos and Bendix are usually good too.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:35 PM
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Thanks, kinda confirmed it was the caliper, put the wheels back on and and the drivers side turns more than passenger side, about 1 1/2 turns vs. 1 turn, will get TWO new calipers anyhow.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 04:39 PM
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Always replace them in pairs.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 05:18 PM
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why not just pull the sliders, clean them up with a wire wheel on a drill and lube em up good when you reinstall them.
should buy you some time, or maybe even fix the problem.

worked for me for years.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by caged
why not just pull the sliders, clean them up with a wire wheel on a drill and lube em up good when you reinstall them.
should buy you some time, or maybe even fix the problem.

worked for me for years.

The problem is not always with the slides. Some times the piston sticks and won't retract.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by caged
why not just pull the sliders, clean them up with a wire wheel on a drill and lube em up good when you reinstall them.
should buy you some time, or maybe even fix the problem.

worked for me for years.
19 year old calipers with a 140,000 miles on them, I will replace them.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
Always replace them in pairs.
Only change your pads in pairs. Don't have to change calipers in pairs.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by peelman
Only change your pads in pairs. Don't have to change calipers in pairs.
You don't have to change calipers in pairs, but it's good practice to change them in pairs. It's kind of dumb not to.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
You don't have to change calipers in pairs, but it's good practice to change them in pairs. It's kind of dumb not to.
Disagree, and it's not dumb at all unless your selling parts.

BTW if one rear wheel cylinder leaks, don't have to change the other side either.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by peelman
Disagree, and it's not dumb at all unless your selling parts. BTW if one rear wheel cylinder leaks, don't have to change the other side either.
Do what you want, it's your choice. I will continue replacing calipers, wheel cylinders, and brake hoses in pairs. I even replace my rotors in pairs. I like doing the job right the first time and not having the headaches of having to tear into something again because I thought I would save a couple of bucks. That is just me and the way I do things has served me well the last twenty five years I've been a mechanic. You half a$$ a tune up the only thing that goes wrong is an engine that runs bad. You half a$$ a brake job it could cost somebody their life. Do what you want though.
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