Caliper sticking with new pads/rotors

[tallguy2.3]

Today I swapped out new factory front rotors and Hawk HP+ pads, installed stainless lines, and bled the brakes a ton. Then I took it out for the bed-in procedure and noticed that the front left caliper seems to be stuck or something. It makes the pad contact the rotor I think once per rotation.

So should I grease something up to make it not squeal or what?

[ClintB1321]

this happened with my SVT when i installed the HP+'s as well, but my rotors were uber old, once i switched to new rotors i didnt have the problem, but that doesnt help your situation because you put new rotors on, sorry for being no help

[tallguy2.3]

^Got my hopes up too. Thats it! Next track day, no point-by for you!




Not that you wouldnt still pass me, very quickly, but I just wont acknowledge it.

[rheacer]

I've had the paint on the backing plates fit tight and stick, so I got in the habit of running a file over the ears on all pads. Just enough to get the paint off. Rusts some, but don't stick.

[tallguy2.3]

Where exactly is this backing plate on the pad?

[Johnny_P]

the metal plate with the spring coat hanger clip deal I think is what he means. I'd just let it go, eventually the pad will conform to the way it was mounted, the rotor, etc, and all will be just peachy.

[tallguy2.3]

I just dont want it to glaze over.

rheacer do you mean the part that sticks out that is "L" shaped that basically holds in the pad? The paint on that part can make it get hung up on the part of the caliper it touches and stick towards the rotor so you file that paint off?


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Yes, thats a brake pad. So the part at the top where the underscores are is where the paint was removed?

[brads03zx3]

Tallguy, are you saying when you press the pedal, the left caliper is stuck and doesn't work?

Did you lube up the caliper bolts (maybe called pins...)? The caliper is floating, so minimizing that friction is a must. I throw on some lithium grease every time I swap pads. Back in the olden days if the caliper was acting up we'd rebuild them. It is much easier (and cheaper, and you typically only do it once) just to replace the caliper now.

[rheacer]

the little ears that locate the pads in the caliper. ^

[tallguy2.3]

Update on the wierd and annoying: Its more like when I hit the brakes it stays stuck on a little bit, causing a humming/screeching noise. And its loud, louder than my exhaust, stereo, etc.. But here's the wierdest part, when you turn the wheel sometimes it stops. But then comes back eventually.

So I think I will take it apart, sand me some ears and lube me some pins or whatever those are that slide in and out.


Thanks guys.

[getn2focus]

i just replaced my rear rotors and pads on my svt...the caliper was also sticking. after i installed new parts. i greased up the slides for the piston. it does help. i just used some high temp grease from autozone or someplaced like that. good luck

[tallguy2.3]

Alright, I did basically everything stated and it helped a ton!

I literally had horrible pedal feel because the paint on the ears caused the pads to not be able to move plus my caliper pins were virtually bone dry. So now mu brakes work, but the wierd sea lion noise still exists much of the time, just less often.

I also know for sure that my new rotors are warped. I installed them saturday, did the break in period and ever since then they warped. So I guess the HP+ pads were too much for the $31/ea. rotors. I was a little dumb for trying to just save money. So I bought OE slotted ones from FS.

Thanks everyone!

[Johnny_P]

they probably arent warped, just have pad material built up on them.... If the pads were dragging as much as you said, they probably got super hot just while driving, so when you'd stop at a stop sign or light, the material would "cook" onto the rotor. You can get them resurfaced and they'll be fine. Or re-bed them and I bet they'll clear up.

[tallguy2.3]

^No I dont think so, you can hear a definite squeak, squeak, squeak, as you roll along that is undeniably in direct correlation to speed.

I've already bedded them in twice so I dont really think its going to help to do it again. At this point I'm giving up on the rotors. But if it still happens with the new ones, idk what to say.

[tallguy2.3]

Update: Ditched old rotors since they were $30/ea and the caliper pins werent lubed, I figured they were cheap anyway + glazed over when the caliper stuck on. Bought nice new slotted ones from FS, best rotors made for ST's in stock size.
Install. Bed in. Coast into driveway and hear same squeak squeak squeak as before. Bang head into steering wheel breaking neck and put self out of misery.

So whats the deal? Took pics too:
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m...908_210001.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m...8_210000-1.jpg

They show how the pad is only contacting the outer part of the rotor. This also happened on the last set so I even took the time to file the pads down until they were unglazed and smooth and relatively level.

[brads03zx3]

HP+ pads squeel. I got rid of some of it with the bright orange CRC anti-squeel applied to back of the plate that contacts the piston/caliper. And the pads will contact the entire rotor after probably 100 miles or so.

[glowboi87]

Originally Posted by tallguy2.3

... but the wierd sea lion noise still exists much of the time, just less often.....

u know whats funny as h***, i was like... hm i wonder what that sounds like. and i have animal planet on and all of a sudden... what do ya know.... an annoying sealion noise. haha kinda weird! it made me laugh tho. but yeah i thought my brakes were sticking on my 01 f-150 once... i was not even bothered by it... till i found out it was my rear diff.... SWEET!!

[tallguy2.3]

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

HP+ pads squeel. I got rid of some of it with the bright orange CRC anti-squeel applied to back of the plate that contacts the piston/caliper. And the pads will contact the entire rotor after probably 100 miles or so.

I realize that but this was different. I made some vids on my phone I could probably upload.

But I think I figured it out. I got new rotors and swapped out for my old pads that I had a while ago and nothings been bad at all. My only guess is a batch of pads that got mis-manufactured. Strange, but the only thing it could be really. So I'll call FS and see what they can do.

[jinstall]

Caliper Slide Greese is your friend. As well as Copper Paste.

[tallguy2.3]

Did that, but thanks

[jinstall]

The next thing is to inspect the piston in the caliper. This might require you to remove the caliper and drain it. Check the motion and reinstall it. Fresh fluid to flush the system. There could be residue in the system preventing the piston to slide freely.

[ClintB1321]

i have the sea lion noise too, but i just turn the radio up

[tallguy2.3]

It seems to have been fixed with switching out to the old pads so my guess is just bad pads, somehow. But if it starts with the next set then I will probably disassemble the caliper like you're saying jinstall

[zetecer]

you might have a problem with the caliper it might have some signs of being frozen not sure thought id put it out there