Stuck caliper, replace or can I fix?

[VehiX]

Hi folks, my right front brake caliper is sticking! Enough to cause the RIM to heat up enough to burn skin on even just a short ride. Shop says I need a new caliper? Is this possible? I did a search and it appears no one has replaced the caliper itself. Can I just lube it or is it beyond repair? Calipers on VX are rusty but not sure if replacement is actually needed? Any tips or advise? It's in the shop now waiting on word back from me to replace. They want over 200 for one caliper!

Thanks

[Ldub]

Unless you have enough mechanical ability to change a caliper & bleed the brake(s),(it's not too difficult) you'll have to bite the bullet & pay the man...

The only two choices I found on ebay are from this seller.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Isuzu-VehiCROSS-...item3ef9f31866

[tom4bren]

From my limited experience, a caliper can be unstuck but you'll be fighting an uphill battle. It'll stick again ... & again ... & again.

You need to find out why it stuck as well. If it's exterior rust then breaking it free (& cleaning it up) should set things right. If it's interior rust then replacement is needed & you need to also find out how water (moisture) got into your brake lines.

[VehiX]

thanks ldub and tom4bren for your reply. They stated that all 4 calipers, rotors and pads needed to be replaced but said at a minimum to get the right front caliper and both front pad sets replaced. The rust is on the inside mostly on the rears though. They want over $2000 for everything which I DO NOT have right now

Figures this happens right before Christmas

Any suggestions?

[SilverBullet75]

RE: the other calipers...

If it ain't broke... don't fix it.

You said it right... it's Christmas time... for THEM too.

[tom4bren]

I would guess the first step is to check that RF caliper. Can you get it unstuck? Is it just a build up of rust on the outside or did the piston actually sieze because of moisture in the brake fluid?

You need to also determine if the rotors can be turned or are they bad & need to be replaced.

Once those questions can be answered, make sure you have all the parts on hand so that you aren't up on blocks for weeks & weeks waiting on parts.

This is all my 2 cents - I'm not a mechanic or a brake expert.

[MSHardeman]

I'm sure that you could find a caliper on ebay, or get on from Merlin at St. Charles and replace it yourself. It's really not that difficult to do, and bleeding the brakes isn't that hard either.

Did a quick search and came up with this:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...g+front+rotors

It talks more about replacing the front rotors and repacking the front bearings, but there is some good information there. If you can't find anything here I could make an attempt at writing up a "replacing the brake caliper" how-to.

Good luck with whatever you decide.