Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Front brake question

April 19, 2015, 06:13:43 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 152332

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Hi folks,

I drove north all day in the rain today, all went as well as it could until south of Clarksville TN. on I-24, where I became part of a huge parking lot, I guess for some construction.  I finally got off after nearly an hour of stop\go and was working my way around Clarksville heading to Land Between the Lakes when I started to smell something.  Then, I noticed the steering wheel began to pull left, and when I braked, pulled hard right.  I stopped when I could, got out and inspected with no satisfaction.  All looked okay, but I knew something was up with the brakes, I'm guessing maybe a caliper was stuck.  After sitting for a while debating what to do, I decided not to leave Clarksville, and instead to find the Wal-Mart parking lot.  When I got going again, all was okay, no pulling, no smell.  Once it cooled, it was okay I guess.  So, to the questions.  Has anyone had similar experience?  If so, could you explain what happened?  I've had no problem whatsoever with the brakes otherwise, and I'd like to get home and then make plans to address the problem if necessary (I'm about 400 miles from home).  At the moment, I see no reason to take it anywhere since all is well.

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

Bill

2003--23' FL

Re: Front brake question

Reply #2 – April 19, 2015, 10:01:46 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 152334

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As already mentioned, sounds like a stuck caliper. Most don't know that the caliper floats between the disc. There are little pads where a very small amount of high temp grease is applied, and the two long mounting bolts that secure the caliper to the steering knuckle and allow it to float between the disc.  Sounds like between the rain, and maybe the lack of lubrication when the pads were replace is the culprit. Would be a fairly easy fix so you didn't have to worry about it again. Besides, that much heat generated surly boiled the brake fluid.

Don

Re: Front brake question

Reply #4 – April 21, 2015, 03:34:20 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 152345

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Thanks to those of you who shared a similar experience to the one I had. Those comments supported what the mechanic told me when he looked at the brakes. It seems that heat, either from the stop and go on the interstate, a stop for a yellow light I probably could have gone through in Clarksville, or a combination of the two explains the caliper\piston sticking.
 I found a well regarded repair shop that could look at the brakes for me. Despite the fact that there was no problem driving over to the shop, or when they test drove it, and that the mechanic was able to move the calipers on the glide bolts, his recommendation was to replace the one, and better both, along with the hoses and of course new brake fluid.  After working on mechanical equipment (not vehicles) for many years, my experience is once something like this happens, it's going to happen again. So, I agreed with the recommendation. A bit pricey, but that was one of the comments about the shop.  Back home now after a pleasant ride without worry about the brakes.

Thanks again!!  
Bill