Community Forums

MFortie · 06-25-2020, 07:21 AM

Steel pistons. I’ve had phenolic sets lock up twice on our coach. Also, consider flushing and replacing the fluid every couple of years.

grindstone01 · 06-25-2020, 07:25 AM

If you are a mechanic, you should have known how to release the frozen caliper before doing damage. One method is to loosen the lug nuts and steer back and forth.

wolfe10 · 06-25-2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindstone01

If you are a mechanic, you should have known how to release the frozen caliper before doing damage. One method is to loosen the lug nuts and steer back and forth.

Yes, releasing a stuck caliper, particularly on sliding caliper brakes is not rocket science.

BUT (large BUT) I would sure not use the "loosen lug nut" technique with your aluminum wheels.

Alpine36 · 06-25-2020, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfe10

Yes, releasing a stuck caliper, particularly on sliding caliper brakes is not rocket science.

BUT (large BUT) I would sure not use the "loosen lug nut" technique with your aluminum wheels.

You could loosen the lug nuts, but it's not going to do much good when the rotors are bolted directly to the hubs. Loosen the wheel bearing perhaps...but I wouldn't recommend that at all.

grindstone01 · 06-26-2020, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine36

You could loosen the lug nuts, but it's not going to do much good when the rotors are bolted directly to the hubs. Loosen the wheel bearing perhaps...but I wouldn't recommend that at all.

By loosening the lug nuts, you can chuck the wheel back and forth to open the caliper piston up. I used this method to loosen rusted tractor rims that would not break loose of the hub. Just loosen the lug nuts and make turns until the rim pops loose which will also loosen a rotor.
Most rotors are pinched between the rim and hub, unless your rotors are bolted on?

Alpine36 · 06-26-2020, 09:42 AM

Yes, the rotors are bolted directly to the hubs.
Wheel bearings are oil bath, so you could loosen the wheel bearings, but then you lose all your lube oil in the process. No easy "field fix" here.

Alpine36 · 06-27-2020, 04:10 PM

Brake job completed yesterday. New front rotors, calipers, pads, seals, hardware, speed sensors and complete flush with dot4. Rears will come apart next for inspection, lube slides etc...
I also am having the original front rotors machined for the rears or to have a spare set on hand.
Stops good and ABS light is finally out. Hooray.