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OK..WTF..front brakes constantly on

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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:50 AM
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Default OK..WTF..front brakes constantly on

what would cause the front brakes to be constantly on??

It seems the calipers are sticking somewhat causing the pads to be in constant contact rotor
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 09:41 AM
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Your calipers might be ceased up. I see it alot at work but I havent even seen it on our cars.
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Corvette-Chris
Your calipers might be ceased up. I see it alot at work but I havent even seen it on our cars.
You could take out pads and make sure they are lubricated to slide in the "little aluminum pans". Also the bolts need lubricated where they slide.

You know that the pads do contact the rotors. Rotors also get very hot in normal driving. What makes you think your's are bad? Do they smell? Do you have brake fade?

Last edited by Oldvetter; Dec 10, 2007 at 09:46 AM.
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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Ever changed the fluid/pads my boy???
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Oldvetter
What makes you think your's are bad? Do they smell? Do you have brake fade?
Car having troubles moving,
Bad Smell &
Break pedal is all the way to the top and will not move.

so the result was a 1 hour wait on the side of the road & a tow.



Yes the truck was the exact same color
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:36 AM
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I dont know what year your car is , but GM had some issues with the power disc brake boosters causing exactly what your problems are. This was a bulletin during the 2001 model year, but that does not mean that was the only year. Hope this helps.......Happy Holidays !!!!
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:37 AM
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Brake hose maybe pinched. Enough hyd pressure by master cylinder to activate caliper but not enough relief pressure to unload the puck.
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by RAFTRACER
I dont know what year your car is , but GM had some issues with the power disc brake boosters causing exactly what your problems are. This was a bulletin during the 2001 model year, but that does not mean that was the only year. Hope this helps.......Happy Holidays !!!!
Thanks
It is an early 02 built in 01
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by bobc997615
Brake hose maybe pinched. Enough hyd pressure by master cylinder to activate caliper but not enough relief pressure to unload the puck.

Thanks.
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE
Ever changed the fluid/pads my boy???

yes
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 12:49 PM
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damn....you didnt say you took pics....
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 01:27 PM
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Sounds like a bad brake booster.

I had similar problem on a ford tarus some years back. All four calipers were dragging.
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 03:08 PM
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There are a few things that will cause brakes to drag:

1- bad caliper (pistons will not retract)
2- Caliper slider pins seized (wont allow caliper to move side to side)
3- Bad BPMV (will not allow front brake pressure circuit to vent back to the master cylinder.
4. Bad master cylinder.
5. Never seen a bad booster but I would check the bulletin to see what it says.


Problems 1, 2, & 3 are easy to check and repair. Once you eliminate 1, 2, & 3, 4 & 5 are all thats remaining.

BC
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by pewter99
damn....you didnt say you took pics....


and the tow guy remembered towing it last time. He likes that is matches his truck and he wants me to put his towing company on the side
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by ajg1915
Sounds like a bad brake booster.

I had similar problem on a ford tarus some years back. All four calipers were dragging.
seem only front 2 were dragging
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
There are a few things that will cause brakes to drag:

1- bad caliper (pistons will not retract)
2- Caliper slider pins seized (wont allow caliper to move side to side)
3- Bad BPMV (will not allow front brake pressure circuit to vent back to the master cylinder.
4. Bad master cylinder.
5. Never seen a bad booster but I would check the bulletin to see what it says.


Problems 1, 2, & 3 are easy to check and repair. Once you eliminate 1, 2, & 3, 4 & 5 are all thats remaining.

BC

Thanks
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 06:42 PM
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Could be a few things.

1) Get front end up in the air, let it sit for 15 minutes or so without touching the brakes.

2) Spin each front tire to get an idea of the resistance.

3) Have someone get in and depress the pedal a few times and let go.

4) Check the tire spin again, if one or both are sticking (or still sticking) crack open the brake hose banjo bolt to see of the spin resistance changes. If the "grab" goes away, the issue is NOT the caliper/sliders/pads.

5) At this point, replace both front hoses.

6) If loosening the brake hoses makes no difference, the issue is in the caliper/sliders/pads. Replace calipers/pads/sliders and lube every slider.

If after these troubleshooting tips, the grab is still there, break out the check book.
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Chevy Guy
Could be a few things.

1) Get front end up in the air, let it sit for 15 minutes or so without touching the brakes.

2) Spin each front tire to get an idea of the resistance.

3) Have someone get in and depress the pedal a few times and let go.

4) Check the tire spin again, if one or both are sticking (or still sticking) crack open the brake hose banjo bolt to see of the spin resistance changes. If the "grab" goes away, the issue is NOT the caliper/sliders/pads.

5) At this point, replace both front hoses.

6) If loosening the brake hoses makes no difference, the issue is in the caliper/sliders/pads. Replace calipers/pads/sliders and lube every slider.

If after these troubleshooting tips, the grab is still there, break out the check book.

Brake hoses can look fine on the outside and deteriorate on the inside. The rubber can come loose and form a check valve inside the line, thus keeping the pressure on the caliper. I had this happen on one of my other cars. Only mine would never release by setting. One side locked and stayed locked until the rotor turned blue.

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