need bb Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Today I noticed that my LGT had slight brake pad burning smell and I discovered the driver's side caliper was warmer than all the others. The caliper wasn't super hot so I think the pads are just slightly making contract with the rotor. Should I check is the slide needs to be greased? What are other likely factors? I replaced all the calipers with Centric re-manufactured ones two years ago, and I probably put only 10K miles on the car since then. Disappointed to have issues so soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJuan Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 The lower slide pins have a rubber sleeve on them, they are know to seize the lower caliper causing them to drag. If this is the problem, just take out the pins and pull the rubber sleeve off. Re-greese and reinstall. There is no effect to braking with the sleeves off. My wife's balls are delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need bb Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 Took the caliper apart and the slides were fine. One of the two pistons seemed to be stuck even though the rubber boots looked great. I compressed it with a c-clamp and then used the brakes to push it out. Did this a couple of times and it seemed to move back and fourth a bit easier. I noticed that when I pushed on the brakes only one of the pistons would come out. If I clamped the free moving piston, the other one would move. I thought this was a little odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrD123 Posted December 26, 2016 Share Posted December 26, 2016 What is the condition of the brake fluid? Have you flushed it recently? If the fluid is really dark (the fluid that is in the caliper itself) then you could have corrosion buildup - as it takes on water, it darkens and color (it's a feature of the fluid) - also, the additional water makes the fluid corrosive to the materials in the caliper - if you have some corrosion on the interior of the cylinder or on the pistons, that can seize them up (the water also lowers the boiling point of the fluid). That's typically what causes the pistons in a caliper to seize/bind. You might need to rebuild the calipers (replace the internal seals and hone out the cylinder bore if it's scored). At the very least, flush the fluid and get new stuff in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need bb Posted December 29, 2016 Author Share Posted December 29, 2016 Brake fluid is only a year old and the brake pedal is extremely firm. As a precaution I might bleed a little fluid out to ensure there is fresh fluid in the caliper. I did 50 miles of mixed driving since fixing the caliper and everything has been fine so far. I am just a little concerned the issue might occur again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 I have two new front calipers in my foyer. 163k miles and one of the pistons isn't moving for me either, so I thought it was time for a new pair. Rears are fine. All new pads, rotors and fluid with new front calipers. Will be nice. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need bb Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 Well a month later and the passenger side is now sticking. I will definitely need to check the fluid now. Really annoying to have these issues with relatively new brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08SpecB_DE Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 If you do not compress both pistons at the same time, the other will push out. I always replace the hose when installing a new caliper. You never know if the hose has collapsed internally just by vision inspection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need bb Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 Something else I noticed is that the pedal only travels around an inch before engaging the brakes. Just trying to figure out why both front calipers would freeze up given the brakes are practically new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08SpecB_DE Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Cheap aftermarket parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I replaced all the calipers with Centric re-manufactured ones two years ago,... Still under warranty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need bb Posted February 20, 2017 Author Share Posted February 20, 2017 Looks like Centric's don't have lifetime warranty. I was able to unstick the piston, but this caliper was quite corroded for being so new and not seeing my snow or salt. I think I am going to replace both front calipers with Duralast calipers with a lifetime warranty. Hopefully I will get lucky and they will last, if not I will swap them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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