Hi all, neubee here. Been wrenching for 40 years, done 101 brakes, and got myself stumped here. Front of an 89 4wd. 268,000 mi.

Piston wouldn't depress so I popped it out, brought the caliper in and cleaned things pretty well. Did NOT remove the ring. Assembled with only fluid as lube. A bit stiff but all went in OK with new pads.

Now it's mostly free, but not completely. I get more resistance warm. If I give it a spin it will stop within a quarter turn. Sure new would be nifty. Lately every contractor seems to think HE can do my handyman work.

I guess I know any drag is too much, but please somebody tell me some is OK and I don't need to deal with it before my 600 mi trip Wednesday. Thanks. Don.

 

That sounds like a good bit of drag. I wouldn't take it on a 600 mile trip doing that. You'll eat up your pads and the rotors will probably warp due to the excess heat. Not to mention your fuel mileage will be shot.

 

Yea...%#@*! Today I bought some CRC synthetic Brake & Caliper Grease. The booger IS the piston(S)(both sides), not the "slides". Anybody have any luck with lube/grease? Also wondering if there is corrosion under the ring making a too tight fit. and thanks Stryker, Don

 

I greased up the pins on my 2000 (read they were marinated in grease) and haven't had an issue of my caliper sticking or anything since.

 

Trade You! Yea it's my piston/caliper. Not accoustomed to old worn things getting tighter!

Just read this lube can better. says "not for internal....wonder if that's a legal disclaimer. I think Honda (cycles) has a grease intended for under the boot, above the ring.

 

change the caliper out. best bet. especially cause you don't want your breaks going out 200 miles into your trip

 

Yea that would be nice. If the new lasted as long as the original, 22 years, that might be about 20 years longer than this Jeep is likely to run. The hood and passenger doors are fairing OK, the rest of the body doesn't warrant an engine rebuild. 260+K.

Anybody found corrosion under the piston ring? Why is the old thing tight?

 

 

Guess I'll pull them both and go through again, pull the ring and hopefully not #@*!#! it up, grease it with the wrong stuff and give that a go.

 

Try this....drive it a block or 2 turning left/right and return to your house but do not apply the brake pedal, use your parking brake instead. Jack it up and spin the wheels to see if excess drag is still there. Most discs drag a little after being applied and released and as the vehicle moves without the brake applied, there's enough flex that the rotors push the pads/pistons a little farther apart and there's very little drag.

 

You give me hope DJB. I think I'll try that again. (did that BEFORE I cleaned one) In my dreams thumpin down the Hwy they will usually be bonked back. I'll go down the hill right now and come back without jam'n them (out). Thanks, Don.

 

Still at it, some up's and downs...

Anybody found corrosion under the piston ring? Why is the old thing tight?

Could an old ring expand? Wonder what they cost? More in a bit...D.

 

Well DJB's tip, knocking it about a bit helped, since it's sticky, and not seized. It's still just too tight. Get them hot, (easy since my road drops 1,500 ft. in 3 mi), jam the peddle good, then try to give one a spin. Dragging BAD. Let it cool like that and of course the metal contracts and it's free.

It's my bet those two little (maybe 10 gram), rings have swollen over the years. I also bet those 20 grams of rubber? cost about 99c less than a cheep *** caliper re-manufactured in some impoverished country. Off to Ebay/the net, although I don't have time for shipping. "The Suits" might win this one.

 

I have exactly the same issue on one of my calipers. Thought it was because she had been standing for a while but when I popped the psitons out they where spotless. Piston is real difficult to move in the pot by hand with the seal removed and impossible without a G-clamp when the seal is fitted. The main stealers here want over £100 ($160) for a piston refub kit (p/n 5252614). Quadratec has the same kit for $17.

Go figure..

 

HEY! Good news/bad news. Like your wife telling you your "equipment" works better than any of your friends equipment. I only have 12 hrs now to fix it. The two nearest real town's are each 1 1/2 hrs away. (Medford or Eureka)(should have a stupid reality show). Is yours old? 89-90? Did the ring fix it? Don