Seized Caliper - Common Problem?

[hppwdn]

I'm new to the forums and I have the task of maintaining my fiance's 2001 PT Cruiser. Normally it's a pretty reliable car, but it has a recurring problem with the passenger rear caliper seizing up. It was was changed once before by the dealer and I personally changed it less than a year ago and it's seized again. She has an automatic and never uses her ebrake for anything so I would doubt it's related to the ebrake.

Is this a common issue in PTs?

[cruserdad1976]

iv never heard of it if you put on a new one i dont see why it would seize????

[CREWZIN]

I've never heard of it either and I've been on the forum since the beginning of time. Was all the lines checked for the possible cause? The flexible brake hoses at the wheels connecting to the calipers could be blocked and holding brake fluid in the calipers which would keep the brakes applied.

[cdynaco]

I've had it happen twice before over the years on two other vehicles. As you drive the fluid heats and expands and applies pressure to the rotor... gets really hot! Something (dust? dirt?) was not allowing the piston to return freely. There was never any sign of fluid leakage at the caliper. But a new caliper always fixed the issue.

[hppwdn]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

I've never heard of it either and I've been on the forum since the beginning of time. Was all the lines checked for the possible cause? The flexible brake hoses at the wheels connecting to the calipers could be blocked and holding brake fluid in the calipers which would keep the brakes applied.

I bled the brakes when I put on the acliper so I know the lines were open at least on that one day.

I'll tray a new brake line as well this time to see if that helps.

Originally Posted by cdynaco

I've had it happen twice before over the years on two other vehicles. As you drive the fluid heats and expands and applies pressure to the rotor... gets really hot! Something (dust? dirt?) was not allowing the piston to return freely. There was never any sign of fluid leakage at the caliper. But a new caliper always fixed the issue.

So once you replaced the caliper it never came back again?

[edsidders]

piston or slides ??

If it is the line swelling on the inside and blocking the piston from returning just open the bleed screw and it should release..change the line..GM truck chassis were bad about that..

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by edsidders

piston or slides ??

If it is the line swelling on the inside and blocking the piston from returning just open the bleed screw and it should release..change the line..GM truck chassis were bad about that..

Find the cause. Does the slide hang up, or the piston?

Certainly NOT common on PTs - I haven't heard of any other.

[hppwdn]

Since they've been new calipers each time I would assume the slide and piston would be in good shape. I might be able to take a look at it this weekend, I have a motor swap to do on another car, but that should be done on Saturday.

I'll report back with what I find. Probably gonna go the junkyard route on the caliper this time.

[cdynaco]

Originally Posted by hppwdn

So once you replaced the caliper it never came back again?

When it happened on my pick-up it took me a bit to figure it out. Once I did and replaced the caliper I did not have any further problems.
Fast forward some years on another car. This one I took to a western tire chain and had them do the brakes. First time I ever paid for a brake job.
Part of what they require in order to put their warranty on, is to automatically replace calipers (reconditioned). A month or so later, the problem flared up and I knew what it was. I took it in and told them and they looked cross eyed at me and 'checked it'. Said it was fine, must have been a small rock. LOL
I drive home and problem still there. Went back in and told them 'just change the caliper and it will fix it'. Finally they agreed. Never had any further problem.
Moral of the story... sometimes you get a bad 'new' or 'reconditioned' part.

[hppwdn]

I'll be replacing this one with a junkyard special since she can't find her receipt for the one on there now. I'll see how that works.