Hey all, I've got a 91 xj 4banger and the other day I pulled the brake fluid reservoir to get to something underneath it and forgot to put it back (facepalm I know)

Obviously this led to my brakes siezing.
I didn't drive far once they started acting up but they were smoking when I got home.

I've never had this problem and after searching around a bit I'm still not sure what my options are.

Is there a cheap fix? I really don't want to replace the whole caliper and rotor setup if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this is in the wrong place.

 

I assume you bled everything out after reinstalling the reservoir? Is one front brake seized up or both?

 

Yes I have, and I believe just the passenger side (I didn't see any smoke from the drivers side)

 

If you disconnect the brake line to the caliper and it's still stuck, it's a bad caliper. If it releases, the problem is elsewhere. A likely failure might be the flexible line, they get scaly inside and act like a one-way valve.

 

Yes.

Am a little unclear on your problem,one front caliper seized? IDK if disconnecting the master would have caused that, but I do know you likely need to bleed all 4 wheels IF you pumped it dry in the process, if not at least line bleed the master at the master, and MAYbe the proportioning valve is causing the lockup and it will correct if you bleed all 4. I would start with either the front or back first, maybe someone can chime in with which to do first.

 

Fixed! Was telling a buddy at school about what you guys said and he apparently works at abs. so beers and a Saturday later she's golden.