Rear Brakes Sticking!!!

[SHOnOFF]

Ok, I have a problem. A big one. I just drove my new MTX home from college today (about 550 miles from OH to NJ). Before the trip, there was a squeaking sound coming from the left rear that I could hear with the window open while I was driving slow. I also noticed that the left rear wheel seemed to get dirtier (with brake dust) faster than the other wheels (even the front ones). I got home today after the trip and noticed the sound was getting much louder (about 15 minutes from my house) and would get really bad when I actually had to use the brakes.

Well I get it home, pull in the driveway, and shut her down. I go look at the left rear wheel and guess what I see??? The wheel is absolutely covered in brake dust...the pad is gone...and the rivets in the pads have now screwed up my rotors!!! I just bought this car less than a month ago.

So I went and looked at the receipts he gave me (in case they still might be under warranty), and my findings are very discouraging. I found 3 different receipts stating problems with the rear brakes. One says, "Rear brake calipers seem to be sticking." Another one says, "Check brakes - getting noise from rear. Hears only without brakes on - happens most days. Feels as if calipers not releasing." The one receipt says they replaced the "Brake pressure valve" (not cheap) and the other one says something about "loaded calipers."

So...my question is, what do I do now? I feel like I've been kinda cheated here because the guy didn't tell me about this. Even after I bought the car, gave him the cash, and asked him if there was anything I should know about the car (and even mentioned the sound I was getting from the left rear)...nothing. So can I call the place that did the work and talk to them? (This place called "Hires Auto Parts" in Ft. Wayne, IN did it twice and then Perf. Plus did something with it once.) Also, if I have to do the brakes myself (replace rotor and pad), can I not get the cross-drilled rotor resurfaced? And I'm guessing there has to be an underlying problem here since it's happened 3-4 times, right?? What's the deal? Can anyone help me out? I'm really frustrated right now. I hope someone can give me some tips here. Thanks.

 

[PROPHET]

I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE STICKING IN MY FRONT BRAKES.IT TURNED OUT IT WAS MY BRAKE BOOSTER

 

[AutoSHO]

Since the first response was informative but useless, I'm going to give my 2 cents. Many people have had the rear brake caliper slider pins freeze up due to rust. This causes the caliper to ride on one pad and stick. Some people have had luck with WD-40 and/or a hammer. The Slider pins tend to need to be replaced though. I haven't done this yet to my car, so I dont know the part numbers/prices, but if it is only happening on one side, it is almost certainly the caliper sliders frozen up. Good Luck!

 

[snowwind1990]

I have a lot of info. on calipers in some folders here somewhere that I gathered over a couple of years and I will e-mail them to you.
there are tiny boots on the calipers just underneath, are these torn and if so then road goo is getting in and sticking the slider pins. they may have slit them and shot them with grease and not actually taken them out and lubed them. of course they are going to fail again. We have steel pistons that will last a long time, but they have to be lubed. I think the **** is SLI Guide or something like that, it is in the posts. Anyway, temp. test each rotor after driving about 10 mins. You will find the rotor that is being worn and grooved is hot! Our rotors warp easily any way. Rotors are about 90.00 for OEM(one of the few readily parts) available however, I use Wagner Police pads not Ford. You may have lost the caliper for good if you heard the screech it makes, if not, replace the pads, try to turn the rotors or replace, then remove and grease the slider pins both of them and replace the tiny boot. Bleed the brake fluid cause it may have boiled and check the other three for the same process...
And....out of breath!...good luck.
Ma Ma M eek! eek! thumbs_u

 

[SHOnOFF]

snowwind1990:
I have a lot of info. on calipers in some folders here somewhere that I gathered over a couple of years and I will e-mail them to you.

That would be very, very helpful. You're awesome. My e-mail address is [email protected]. thanks again!

 

[RTStabler51]

I would think slider pins are stuck. That would be my thoughts. Or possibly as toolboy79 brought to my attention, the metal mounting tab on the rear hoses, and become restricted and cut off the fluid flow or something, so my want to try to 'pry' it open a little bit
BTW, You shouldn't have any problem with the starter either, as I just sold me one about 2 months ago :-D

<small>[ June 03, 2002, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: RTStabler51 ]</small>