Brake caliper siezed...

[Poyzinous]

Well earlier this week, I noticed my car was a bit shaky at highway speed, and I figured after work I would balance my tires or something. Although I didn't get to that spare time until today. My car was shaky at highway speed, but It seemed more like a prank as if someone stuck a weight on my right rear axle or something, since it vibrated as if I was driving over hundreds of itty bitty speed bumps designed for hotwheels cars. Anyway, I figured I would resurface my brake rotors and sand my pads down since they were squealing like a starving and sexually aroused farm pig. When I started removing my wheels, I noticed my right rear wheel was unusually warm. I touched the brake rotor, and even through my gloves it felt hotter than a saudi arabian desert after a firestorm. I got a digital thermometer and measured the temp on the other 3 wheels. Wheel temp:98*, rotor temp: 115*, caliper temp: 125*, hub temp: 110*. Then the right rear wheel measured 140* at the wheel, 288* at the rotor, and 305* at the caliper. Then something hit me. Damn altice sneaking up to me like a lonely farm boy curious to other life forms. I then realized that my problem lied in this section of my car. My caliper seized and was biting the rotor like a circus lion bit his trainer after inappropriately stroking its mane. After letting it cool for a while, I went ahead and replaced the caliper while the front discs were being turned, bled brakes, and drove around wondering how I could have stolen that caliper if I didn't have a warranty. Anyway, I'm sure this will happen to some of you guys, if it hasn't already. In my experience only the 03 models had that issue. Its not as common an issue as say, a jaguar x-type eviscerating its u-joints, but apparently there have been about 6 caliper replacements per year. Just rear calipers too. No problem with the fronts. Anyway, thanks for introducing me to your voicemail STEVE. What is it with you and not answering your phone on weekends? I know you have free weekend minutes. I just wanted to tell you the shipment came in. Its clean. Uncut. But its lemon scented. I dont like lemon scented soap. And I wanted to tell you I found the problem mentioned above.

[SteveTheTech]

Nice rant there Gabe.

~I didn't answer bc it was my anniversary and the MRS and I were busy. Plus the inlaws were calling all day.

~It's not just weekends I don't answer the phone, it's only on weekends I don't take my phone with me.

~Good thing you have extended warranty, we'll get that fixed up real nice for you.

Calipers seizing is no big deal in all honesty. It happens, usually with no warning it gets progressively worse until you burn through the pads. I have been bit in the bum by some of these that look fine one week then come back grinding like an sob.

[tollboothwilley]

Well, at least we know what to look out for in such a scenario.

Was this the cause of your rough ride then?

Nice rant there Gabe.

~I didn't answer bc it was my anniversary and the MRS and I were busy.

for married guys getting some

[Poyzinous]

yup. siezed caliper was the culprit. Since it was putting unregulated pressure on my rear rotor, it would cause the car to bounce around similar to an unbalanced wheel. Since i felt it under braking as well, it drew another flag as to a brake related issue. That and my car pulling right on straight highways and it is easy to notice it affect your driving pattern. Luckily, i caught the issue fairly quickly, and since i never really drive more than 10 miles on one trip, the rotor was just scored and not warped, as that would have required me to buy a rotor and pads on top of that. Anyway... now you know. and knowing is half the battle. cuz knowledge is power. GEEEIIIIIIIJOOOOOOOOOOEEE!!!

[joe603]

So what's the fix, replace the caliper?

[Poyzinous]

yes. replace caliper. if warped, or has heat spotting, rotor and pads as well. Then for a good measure flush brake fluid. or at least bleed them all.