Sticky caliper ?

[newTahoeguy]

Before I get to taking this rear right caliper apart just wondering if anyone has thoughts based off pictures it looks like the rotor has wear along outer edge, would that most likely just be from the slide pin boots blown out or the whole caliper going, wheel spins freely when I had jacked up, but my vehicle is definitely pulling to the right when driving and recently started pulling left then right when hard braking at highway speed

 

[Rocket Man]

Time to tear it apart and see what it looks like. Hard to say just from looking at one rotor. Time for new rotors and pads regardless so I’d have those parts ready if it was me. New calipers might be in order also but you wont know until you get into it.

 

[tom3]

Those slide pins can sure rust up and cause several problems. Hard to get them out too, parts loosener, heat, lots of patience.

 

[petethepug]

Nice pics to tell the whole story.

It’s just an internet diagnosis, but going to the cheapest, easiest first methodology, consider an internally gummy / sticking brake hose allowing the caliper to drag.

It’s a good excuse to upgrade to braided stainless lines and still get a win if that doesn’t correct it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

As @Rocket Man recommended, tear the caliper apart and assess. Cleaning and re-lubing the pins may resolve your issue. I believe that PowerStop pads include new rubber boots for the caliper pins.

 

[Fless]

Pull the wheel and before doing anything try to slide the caliper side to side to see if it floats. Then go deeper.

 

[olliec420]

Im think having an intermittent stuck caliper. Been smelling hot brakes but it spun free when I jacked it up. Its in the rear and Ive been feeling like something was funny lately but didnt know what was going on til I smelled the hot brake and the wheel was way hotter than the other side when I got home last night. Is it possible a caliper it sticking on and off or is that better explained by issues with the hose. Hose looks good to visual inspection.

 

[blondie70]

I had the same thing on mine. RR caliper was sticking. I replaced caliper and all ok now. Like you, I found the wheel hot...very hot. Just costing money for more gas, etc...

 

[blondie70]

Me again....got a Ford pickup and it had a sticky caliper also...now, when I gas up, I generally walk around the vehicle and feel the wheels. I don't want to feel a hot wheel. If the caliper is sticking, the wheel is sure to be hot. I used O Reilly rebuilt calipers...no problems...

 

[olliec420]

I had the same thing on mine. RR caliper was sticking. I replaced caliper and all ok now. Like you, I found the wheel hot...very hot. Just costing money for more gas, etc...

But did you have it intermittent? Some times stuck and sometimes free?

 

[strutaeng]

I had one on my wife's 13 Chrysler minivan just yesterday. She said it made some noise when braking. I took it out for a drive and sure enough, kinda like grinding noise on hard braking but did also get a brake overheating smell.

That van's brakes have always dusted badly. It seemed odd that just last week I had cleaned the wheels and washed it, and when I test drove it, only the front passenger wheel was completely covered in brake dust. Well, the pads on that side were literally gone! So I replaced the pair. The other side was basically at 50% life on the pads, so I know the caliper was dragging. I lubricated the pins, and will keep an eye on it.

I looked at my maintenance log and I had replaced the fronts back in 2019, and the van has only been driven 22k since then. SMH. The set before that I had replaced as well and want to say they lasted something like 35k.

Not impressed. I'm used to brakes lasting 120k+ on my GMT800s...