I changed the pads a month or two ago and now getting a loud squeal from the front end. I pull the tires and check the pads and they're ok on both sides and no scoring on the discs. But I notice the calipers seem to have a death grip on the discs to the point that the hub will not turn by hand. This is on both sides so I think I can rule out the calipers simultaneously going bad...your opinions?

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Dreams can come truehttp://my1stcamaro92rs.cz28.com.

 

two things come to mind:
first, the guide rods need to be deburred and cleaned up. a build up of rust on the rods won't allow the calipers to move smoothly. so the brake pressure will make them press the rotor but the rust won't allow them to "lessen their grip" when you take your foot off. also, check the mounting surface where the caliper meets with the bracket on the top and bottom.
second, your pistons inside your calipers are binding and you need to rebuild the calipers themselves. it's not hard, really.

 

I'll try the quick fix first and try to clean the rust out and apply anti-seize to the rods and lithium to the seals. I have a feeling though it may be the proportioning valve and was looking for confirmation. Thanks for the info.

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Dreams can come true...
http://my1stcamaro92rs.cz28.com.

 

Burn the car.

 

ignore the idiot. after tearing the brakes apart, ive decided to replace both calipers and go from there.

 

MyFirst, how's the brake hoses? An internally-deteriorated brake hose will restrict brake fluid from moving out of, or back into the master cylinder.

Does the car "kick" to one side when you hit the brakes? That would be a sign of one side's hose being deteriorated... say, the car kicks left when you hit the brakes, and right when you release them. That means the right hose is toast- it delays the right side from braking (kicks left), and then doesn't release the pads right away (kicks right).

It's odd of course that both sides, calipers or hoses, would go at the same time.

[edit] At any rate, if you replace the calipers, it would be a great time to also replace the flex hoses, since they're 8 years old.

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited October 24, 2000).]

 

Thanks Tom...after looking over the calipers and seeing all the rust, my original intention was to rebuild the caliper, but for $10 and a lifetime warranty, I'll replace the whole unit. I picked up the hoses too as well but haven't crawled under the car completely to check if any of the lines might be crimped too. I checked with a brake shop this past weekend just for **** and giggles...$65 a side for the caliper job not including the pads or labor...can you say "RIPOFF." I walked out needless to say smiling. I have better things to spend my money on and not fatten his wallet in the process.

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Dreams can come true...
http://my1stcamaro92rs.cz28.com.