Front Brakes Sticking
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Front Brakes Sticking
First, I am NOT a mechanic. While getting my oil changed at a local Corvette shop, the oil changer spun my driver side front wheel and it suddenly stopped. Then he spun the pass side wheel and got the same thing. I get a LOT of brake dust, so obviously, they are not releasing completely. It is not noticeable to me while driving.
I still have plenty of brake pad life left. Before I have them check it out, has anyone else experienced this or have an idea as to what to look for? I do not believe it has anything to do with a particular caliper as it is doing it evenly on both sides so it must be something system wide causing this. I trust them, but would feel better when I take it in to get it repaired if I had a little insight into what might be causing the problem. Just wondering what I might be getting into as far as a repair goes.
I still have plenty of brake pad life left. Before I have them check it out, has anyone else experienced this or have an idea as to what to look for? I do not believe it has anything to do with a particular caliper as it is doing it evenly on both sides so it must be something system wide causing this. I trust them, but would feel better when I take it in to get it repaired if I had a little insight into what might be causing the problem. Just wondering what I might be getting into as far as a repair goes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
That is normal? Seems crazy to me that the pads are always touching the rotors and therefore constantly wearing out and creating the hated brake dust. Do they automatically adjust after the pads get worn down? Or as the pads get smaller and smaller do the wheels then spin more freely?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
A little brake drag on the rotors is normal. If your calipers were truly stuck you would not be able to turn the wheels by hand and you'd have smoking brakes every time you drive. It also does not significantly increase brake wear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
Some light contact with the rotor is pretty normal. If you feel the drag is excessive, you might have the tech service the brake calipers. You could do it yourself as this is really not all that hard to do. This involves removing the wheels and the brake calipers and cleaning the caliper slides of brake dust. Rotor surfaces can be cleaned as well with some brake cleaner. Lubricate the slides with some high temp synthetic brake grease and put back together. Do not forget to loctite the caliper slide bolts and torque to spec. Good luck with it.
