Front brakes sticking (Page 1/1)
donuteater306 MAR 19, 12:16 PM
Stock 87 GT. My left (and possibly right) front brake is sticking. Other than the caliper guides needing to be cleaned/greased, what else can cause that? I'm feeling a little air-headed for asking lol.

In 2009, I rebuilt all four calipers, replaced all hoses with braided steel, replaced the master and fully bled the system. I haven't touched the front brakes since. Currently, the vehicle stops straight and smooth, but from a stop, when I take my foot off the brake, the car takes a few seconds before it starts to roll freely. Just before it lets free, you can hear and feel a slight chatter from the front (like the pads slowly releasing from the rotors). Thankfully the rears seem fine and the parking brake still works flawlessly (knocking on wood).

Before I start taking this apart, I remember there being a metal sleeve in the caliper for each guide pin but I cannot remember if those sleeves are supposed to slide freely, or if i'm only supposed to grease the center for the pin to slide through. What are your thoughts?
theogre MAR 19, 01:15 PM
Mounting Bolts have Slider Tubes/Sleeve on them.
OE and many have them permanently attach to each other. Some don't and Tubes are harder to remove.

Sliders have "O-rings" as a "Spring" to release outer pad.
You must lube the slack space and O-rings with Brake Grease.
No or wrong lube then the Sliders bind/freeze and drag the outer pad. No lube the then "rust" will freeze then. Wrong lube will make the O-ring to swell causing binding.
Likely you need to replace the O-rings and Use Permatex Brake Grease.

Note: Even w/ correct lube, sliders move easy just after doing a "brake job" but not easy to you pushing them later. They will move as needed when you use the brakes.

Other places need Brake Grease too.

See my Cave, Brake Service

Car's parked for months to years then Pistons can bind too.
Big "O-ring" Seals and other areas can bind because system not used. The Seals "leak" a very tiny bit, so tiny you can't see, but enough to lube seal and areas around it to prevent "rust" and seal stick to the piston.

You "rebuilt" the rears but rear pistons often have problems w/ P-brake parts in it and that can drag pad dragging too.
Even tho P-brake "Seem to work..."
See my Cave, Rear Brakes

If the Fronts have Aftermarket Steel Pistons... That can cause problems too.

------------------
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

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 03-19-2022).]