Replaced the front brake pads and now one caliper...

[mildearth]

Good day all. I just finished replacing the front brake pads on my 03 p5 and all went smooth I'd say except the passenger side caliper really didn't move around that well. After I took off that bottom bolt from the bottom of that caliper so I could turn the caliper up and replace the pads that caliper would not move. I had to hit it with a hammer to get it to come up and out of the way to remove the pads and out the new pads on and it didn't go all the way back like the other caliper did, it stayed more like at a 90 degree angle as opposed to opening more like 180 degrees. That side also didn't have the anti-rattle clips so I did replace the pads but no clips so I will have to get them and replace them. I did remove more than half of the brake fluid from the system before I started the job and the other caliper opened and moved like a charm but the passenger side not so much. After I was done I took it out for a short trip and I could feel and hear the dragging on the passenger side like the caliper is creating friction. I am going to get new anti-rattle clips and I do hope that will fix this issue but I'm afraid I may have to replace that caliper as well. Any thoughts?

Bonus info...I did have a small accident recently and I slide on some ice and slammed that front passenger side wheel into a curb. I claimed on my insurance and they fixed up the obvious issues and I'm not sure if this could be something that should have been looked at as well when that happened?

 

[MonkeyBone]

The clips retaining the 2 pads are PITA! Changed front rotors and pads couple days ago. 1st time on this car. Found those springs/clips when removing old pads. Tried to put them back on with new pads. No way they could fit. Threw them away! No problems since. Old rotors were wiped and 1 caliper had the hex slider seized. So braking is like new! Now...

Front hubs....have to be change...That's a real deal!

PS. Have an alignement!

 

[slavrenz]

Front hubs....have to be change...That's a real deal!

PS. Have an alignement!

First off, those clips are not just "anti-rattle" - they're also to give the pads a smoother surface to slide on. I'm sure if they had no useful purpose, they wouldn't be on there in the first place, so I would highly recommend against removing them.

Second, your front hubs should never need to be changed. Now, if your wheel bearings behind the hubs are bad, that's another story, but slamming your car into a curb doesn't "guarantee" that they are bad.

I second the alignment - you may have some suspension components that are bent, and they can also tell you at the same time if your wheel bearings are bad.

It sounds as if your caliper might be seized, but you can get rebuilt ones for like $30-$40 at auto parts stores after your return the old one. Otherwise, try opening your bleeder screw as you are pushing the caliper piston back to see if that helps, and try re-lubing your slider pins in case those are rusted.

 

[mildearth]

Thank you for the tips slavrenz, I will have a go at it tomorrow. Wouldn't you know it I parked in the alley to have a look at it the weekend after I posted this and it started to rain so I was delayed. The next thing you know I hear a bang grind and I look out and my neighbor is backing up and hit my car with his big ford truck. That has me all pissy about my car right now.

I am going to work on it tomorrow and see if I can't get it back in business. Thanks again for your advice slavrenz and any others whom have a thought.

 

[P-Funk!]

Did the accident destroy the wheel? It may have damaged the caliper as well....

 

[slavrenz]

Honestly, I wouldn't spend a great deal of time on it, unless you're really hurting for money. Just go buy a rebuilt caliper and pop it in. But yeah, I suppose the accident could've messed up the caliper - it seems unlikely, but I've heard weirder.