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So ive had a pull to the right when i hit the brakes, and now after driving to the beach yesterday have a front passenger caliper sticking. Smelled burning brakes and the wheel was too hot to touch.
I am thinking about getting the calipers from advance auto parts, they come with pads as well and new mounting hardware for 140 each. I'm only going to replace the front for now. Does this sound ok or are there any better suggestions that i may have missed?
Do you know how old your flexible rubber hoses are which go from the brake line fitting on the frame to the caliper itself? They could be collapsing and causing your problem. I had the same issue, changed out the two front hoses (you can buy them from any of the Vette parts houses, and maybe at AutoZone or Napa too) and it took away the problem completely. I have the back hoses too, just have not replaced them.
The hoses may be the first (and cheapest) place to start.
If you haven't replaced the flexible hoses do it. They are well beyond their expected lifetime. They can fail in many ways including as said above in a way that holds the brakes on.
don't repair the brakes without replacing the parts that take the most abuse.
Unless the calipers are leaking, I would not replace them. Get new hoses for all 4 corners. You will need some PB Blaster and brake line wrenches, or you will be ruining the fittings.
Be sure to completely flush the brake system with new DOT4 or synthetic fluid.
i will look at them tomorrow. If they appear to be original I should just change them first?
So far I cannot tell that the calipers are leaking.
It would be really nice if it was just the hoses
You'd have brake fluid on the floor or all over the back of the tires if your calipers were leaking. The hoses are the best bet - you generally can't tell by looking at them if they are original and the problem is on the inside of the hose where you can't see. Plus, they are easy to change.
yes, it is the hose if you are sticking... get stainless braided hoses as replacements for extra safety.
if you are pulling right or left it could be several problems, most likely fluid on one of your rotors...therefore a leaking caliper.
see if it brakes straight after several miles and your brakes are heated up and fluid is burned off the rotors... if so then most likely its a leaky caliper.. it does not have to be a puddle on the floor either.. just enough to slightly oil the rotor will cause the pulling..
It was the hose. Man am i glad. Replaced the one for the passenger side, now it stops straight as an arrow, and no more sticking caliper. And this was also the first maintenance thing i've done for the car, and i was very surprised to see 4 piston calipers!