Brake calipers not releasing - all four wheels (Page 1/1)
nedriv49 JUN 27, 05:01 PM
Hello all,

I have begun a project to return my 1985 Fiero GT to the road after sitting for 13 years. In 2008, my Fiero failed to pass California Smog inspection. I just parked it, filed a non-operation permit with the DMV, and life events took control. Now, 13 years later, I want to drive it again!

My first task was to tune-up the brake system. I bought rebuilt rear calipers, and rebuild kits for the front calipers, and I replaced all four rubber hoses. I put new brake pads all around. I flushed the old brake fluid and bled the brakes. Maybe unfortunately, I used the old school method of bleeding the brakes by having my wife press the brake pedal to the floor while I opened and then closed the bleeder valve before she released the pedal. The process seemed to work as the pedal is firm when pressed.

I have noticed now that on all four wheels, the brake pads do not seem to release completely and cause a lot of drag when turning the wheel by hand with car on jack stands.

In searching for a solution, I discovered the Fiero brake tutorials in "Ogre's Cave". The part that caught my attention was how he recommended to NOT PRESS PEDAL to floor when bleeding the brakes and instead to use other bleeding methods.

I'm thinking maybe my brake bleeding method has knocked loose some "crud" and caused a blockage or something in my master cylinder. Or, is the proportional valve causing the problem?

I'm looking for some expert advice.
What do you all think might be the problem?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
EdV
theogre JUN 27, 06:18 PM
MC likely not returning to rest causing system to keep pressure on.

Loosen a bleeder should release both calipers on same axle.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Shho13 JUN 27, 09:50 PM
If you installed new pads and rotors as well, it's also a possibility that since all the parts are brand new that the pads and rotors are just suuuuuper tight to each other and causing a bit of what feels like resistance (especially if you try and turn the hubs with the wheels "off"). Keep in mind, normally with fresh parts it doesn't feel as "free spinning" as a components that have had a chance to "wear in" since the normal amount of rolling clearances haven't been grounded into the new parts.

Too much resistance though is a problem and very well could may be the master, like Ogre says... Crack the bleeders on the calipers and see if it makes a difference! FWIW don't stress too much that you pressed the pedal to the floor when you bled the brakes, I've done it that way literally countless times on customer cars over the years with no ill effects whatsoever, but there's always an exception and a possibility of that happening

Also, make sure that you lubed up the slider pins on the calipers as they could potentially bind up too!

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"Discord"
Red 1988 GT under restoration!

Let's Go Mets!

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

reinhart JUL 04, 10:05 PM
If it's all 4 wheels I don't know how it can be anything but the master. They're pretty cheap. Got one for like $35 I want to say on ebay years ago and it's working great still.