Locking rear disk brakes
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Joined: May 2000
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From: OK
Locking rear disk brakes
I've got a '84 T/A with factory rear disk brakes. I've noticed that on two seperate occasions since I've owned the car (since new) that on a cold sleety/snowy day if I park the car for several hours outside with the parking brake set, then release the parking brake when I leave the rear calipers are 'frozen' in place where they won't easily let go. I suspect that as the car sits the water manages to get into the parking mechanism and freezes it up. The brake cable is releasing ok as I can feel the 'slack' as I release the handbrake.
Other than probably taking a hair dryer or propane torch to the calipers, is there any way of freeing them up? I managed to free mine up after crawling around the parking lot 'till the brakes warmed up and released themselves, but I don't like having to do that. Has anyone else run into this problem?
[This message has been edited by David Trimble (edited February 09, 2001).]
Other than probably taking a hair dryer or propane torch to the calipers, is there any way of freeing them up? I managed to free mine up after crawling around the parking lot 'till the brakes warmed up and released themselves, but I don't like having to do that. Has anyone else run into this problem?
[This message has been edited by David Trimble (edited February 09, 2001).]
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,112
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From: Orange County,NY
Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
I have the same problem when I drive my car in the cold(not winter)and as far as I know there is no fix.I sprayed the e brake lever assembly with silicone brake lube when I service the car and this does seem to help some,but not totally fix it.I'll let ya know if I ever get it to work right in the cold!
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 66
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From: Santa Maria, CA
David,
Since the cable is properly adjusted, I would suspect that the actuator in the caliper itself. When you apply the emergency brake the lever on the rear caliper turns a screw gear in the caliper that causes the pads to squeeze the rotor.
If this screw gear gets out of adjustment, the rear brakes may work poorly or not at all or in your case not move enough to release the pads.
GM issued a service bullitin on this rear caliper problem. Look in the tech articles under brakes or do a search here on rear calipers. It has been discussed here before.
Since the cable is properly adjusted, I would suspect that the actuator in the caliper itself. When you apply the emergency brake the lever on the rear caliper turns a screw gear in the caliper that causes the pads to squeeze the rotor.
If this screw gear gets out of adjustment, the rear brakes may work poorly or not at all or in your case not move enough to release the pads.
GM issued a service bullitin on this rear caliper problem. Look in the tech articles under brakes or do a search here on rear calipers. It has been discussed here before.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 326
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From: OK
DSouthern-
Yes I know about the recall- in fact my car was in the recall back around '92 and had the calipers replaced. Then around '97 is when I had the first problem with the calipers freezing on me. The slow driving loosened them up. Then about a year and half ago the calipers went out altogether (one of them blew a seal) and both calipers were replaced. The brakes had been working fine 'till today when they had frozen again and I had to do the same routine to 'thaw' them out.
Tonite they tried to do the same thing, but not as bad. However I noticed as I released and set the parking brake that I kept hearing a 'pop' sound and it sounded like it was coming from under the car (not near the brake calipers)- I'm wondering if I've got a frayed cable that's catching- if so that would explain the symptoms.
Oh, one other thing- I've always set my parking brake (up until now- I'm afraid to do it now), so the calipers should've stayed in adjustment.
P.S. Found the discussion on the board about this - however it seems that the general problem there is that the calipers do not pinch sufficiently when the parking brake is set. I did have that problem with the car back before I got the recall fix done on it.
[This message has been edited by David Trimble (edited February 09, 2001).]
Yes I know about the recall- in fact my car was in the recall back around '92 and had the calipers replaced. Then around '97 is when I had the first problem with the calipers freezing on me. The slow driving loosened them up. Then about a year and half ago the calipers went out altogether (one of them blew a seal) and both calipers were replaced. The brakes had been working fine 'till today when they had frozen again and I had to do the same routine to 'thaw' them out.
Tonite they tried to do the same thing, but not as bad. However I noticed as I released and set the parking brake that I kept hearing a 'pop' sound and it sounded like it was coming from under the car (not near the brake calipers)- I'm wondering if I've got a frayed cable that's catching- if so that would explain the symptoms.
Oh, one other thing- I've always set my parking brake (up until now- I'm afraid to do it now), so the calipers should've stayed in adjustment.
P.S. Found the discussion on the board about this - however it seems that the general problem there is that the calipers do not pinch sufficiently when the parking brake is set. I did have that problem with the car back before I got the recall fix done on it.
[This message has been edited by David Trimble (edited February 09, 2001).]
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 66
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From: Santa Maria, CA
David,
It would be fairly easy to check the emergency brake cable condition and proper operation.
I still suspect the rear calipers themselves. The actuator works like a screw or a wormgear in a steering box. I've read that this screw gets loaded up with dirt because of the environment it is located in.
You could take your car to a brake shop and ask thier opinion for a fix, some national chain shops offer free brakes inspections. Of course they do this to sell you their services, but if you don't want them to work on the car just say thanks for the free inspection.
I still believe a caliper rebuild which included cleaning and lubicating this gear mechanism will fix your problem.
Goodluck.
It would be fairly easy to check the emergency brake cable condition and proper operation.
I still suspect the rear calipers themselves. The actuator works like a screw or a wormgear in a steering box. I've read that this screw gets loaded up with dirt because of the environment it is located in.
You could take your car to a brake shop and ask thier opinion for a fix, some national chain shops offer free brakes inspections. Of course they do this to sell you their services, but if you don't want them to work on the car just say thanks for the free inspection.
I still believe a caliper rebuild which included cleaning and lubicating this gear mechanism will fix your problem.
Goodluck.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 326
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From: OK
Well I got under the car yesterday and inspected the cables and calipers. I couldn't find anything wrong visually, tho. So I tried using WD40 on the wormgear shafts and working the handbrake, mainly to make sure there wasn't any water down in the shaft/gear that was freezing up and causing the wormgear shaft to lock. I'll see how it goes and if it sticks again I'll take it back to the place who replaced the calipers and have them take a look at them. They're fairly new calipers (about a year and a half old) so I think all it'll really need if it comes down to it is the shaft relubricated.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DSouthern:
David,
It would be fairly easy to check the emergency brake cable condition and proper operation.
I still suspect the rear calipers themselves. The actuator works like a screw or a wormgear in a steering box. I've read that this screw gets loaded up with dirt because of the environment it is located in.
You could take your car to a brake shop and ask thier opinion for a fix, some national chain shops offer free brakes inspections. Of course they do this to sell you their services, but if you don't want them to work on the car just say thanks for the free inspection.
I still believe a caliper rebuild which included cleaning and lubicating this gear mechanism will fix your problem.
Goodluck. </font>
David,
It would be fairly easy to check the emergency brake cable condition and proper operation.
I still suspect the rear calipers themselves. The actuator works like a screw or a wormgear in a steering box. I've read that this screw gets loaded up with dirt because of the environment it is located in.
You could take your car to a brake shop and ask thier opinion for a fix, some national chain shops offer free brakes inspections. Of course they do this to sell you their services, but if you don't want them to work on the car just say thanks for the free inspection.
I still believe a caliper rebuild which included cleaning and lubicating this gear mechanism will fix your problem.
Goodluck. </font>
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
They're not hard to rebuild. I got a rebuild kit from http://www.expressautoparts.com for my 1984 axle's rear discs.. it was by Auto Specialties, and cost me $10. The Haynes 82-92 manual shows how to rebuild the thing- and its the exact same info that's in the GM service manual.
Don't have the calipers replaced with rebuilt ones, unless it's your last chance- the rebuilt ones probably won't have the "recalled" piston/actuator in them.
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
Don't have the calipers replaced with rebuilt ones, unless it's your last chance- the rebuilt ones probably won't have the "recalled" piston/actuator in them.
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2000
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From: OK
Hmm- I'm wondering if those idiots who replaced my calipers didn't put the recalled versions in or not. They were supposedly new and not rebuilt. SUPPOSEDLY.
If I pulled out the calipers how could I tell if they're the recalled versions?
If I pulled out the calipers how could I tell if they're the recalled versions?
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TomP:
Don't have the calipers replaced with rebuilt ones, unless it's your last chance- the rebuilt ones probably won't have the "recalled" piston/actuator in them.
</font>
Don't have the calipers replaced with rebuilt ones, unless it's your last chance- the rebuilt ones probably won't have the "recalled" piston/actuator in them.
</font>
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Where were the calipers new from?
I don't know of a way to check... I wish I did. I rebuilt one of the rear calipers on my axle. The other was so rusted up that I couldn't rebuild it, so I traded it in as a core for a Pep Boys rebuilt one. Now, the one I rebuilt works Great, but the one I bought doesn't work- it has the symptoms of the recall.
I bet I gave Pep Boys a recalled caliper, and got crap back.
Oh well. But no I don't know of a way...
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
I don't know of a way to check... I wish I did. I rebuilt one of the rear calipers on my axle. The other was so rusted up that I couldn't rebuild it, so I traded it in as a core for a Pep Boys rebuilt one. Now, the one I rebuilt works Great, but the one I bought doesn't work- it has the symptoms of the recall.
I bet I gave Pep Boys a recalled caliper, and got crap back.
Oh well. But no I don't know of a way...------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2000
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From: OK
Good question- I didn't install them, but had them installed at Midas. I'm not positive where they got it but I'm fairly sure that they didn't get them from the dealer.
There's got to be a way tho of telling one from the other- I'll ask around and if I find anything I'll post it here.
There's got to be a way tho of telling one from the other- I'll ask around and if I find anything I'll post it here.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TomP:
Where were the calipers new from?
I don't know of a way to check... I wish I did. I rebuilt one of the rear calipers on my axle. The other was so rusted up that I couldn't rebuild it, so I traded it in as a core for a Pep Boys rebuilt one. Now, the one I rebuilt works Great, but the one I bought doesn't work- it has the symptoms of the recall.
I bet I gave Pep Boys a recalled caliper, and got crap back. Oh well. But no I don't know of a way...
</font>
Where were the calipers new from?
I don't know of a way to check... I wish I did. I rebuilt one of the rear calipers on my axle. The other was so rusted up that I couldn't rebuild it, so I traded it in as a core for a Pep Boys rebuilt one. Now, the one I rebuilt works Great, but the one I bought doesn't work- it has the symptoms of the recall.
I bet I gave Pep Boys a recalled caliper, and got crap back.
Oh well. But no I don't know of a way...</font>
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