[bosco200]

Ok my front left disc brake is locked I bleed the brakes and that didnt help it but when you hit the caliper with a hammer it frees it up but when you push the brakes back in it is stuck again how do I fix this? O and if you need to know my back brakes are drum brakes.

[poncho62]

You have rust in the caliper, seizing it up.......get a new one.

[bnun12]

The brake hose may be collapsed. Open the bleeder on that caliper if the brake frees up it is the hose. If it does not free up the caliper is probably rusty.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by bnun12

The brake hose may be collapsed. Open the bleeder on that caliper if the brake frees up it is the hose. If it does not free up the caliper is probably rusty.

Hitting the caliper would not help this. Either the pads are sticking in the caliper or the slide pins are.

[eloc431962]

Originally Posted by poncho62

You have rust in the caliper, seizing it up.......get a new one.

Replace the caliper. It's hanging up. You keep messing with and get it loose and then it will stick later on you and fry the brakes. Cole

[cobalt327]

The make and year of the brakes would help. Besides the piston and bore being sticky, if they're floating calipers (which is likely the case) the bushings and/or retaining pins (and the rubber grommets) that allow the caliper to float could be bent, seized or worn. With the piston retracted, the caliper should be able to be moved in and out by hand.

The caliper mount can be bent or damaged, which could put the caliper in a bind. There are points that have to be cleaned of dirt, grease and rust before giving them an application of caliper grease.

[bosco200]

Its on a 1972 C20 Chevy Truck

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by bosco200

Its on a 1972 C20 Chevy Truck

Thanks.

Another thing that can affect this particular truck's front brakes, is the front brake line retainer that is hooked to the A-arm. The rubber brake line goes through this metal retainer, and over time (especially in areas where salt is used on the roads during winter) the retainer will rust up its ID.

This rust can actually pinch off the rubber line- I had this happen on a '76 Blazer that was originally from PA and had a fair amount of rust. In my case, the brakes became locked up while towing a trailer. They would "bleed down" given enough time, but still would drag badly after applying them, until I found the problem. The same thing can also happen from the retainer getting hit hard enough to bend it.

I doubt hitting the caliper would've helped, though.

[bosco200]

But the brakes were fine before I replaced the rear Brake lines.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by bosco200

But the brakes were fine before I replaced the rear Brake lines.

You need to pull that caliper and see what is going on with it. If you pull it, put a block of wood between the pads. Then you can step on the brake to see what is sticking. I never say never but I really cant see how the rear brake lines could be causing this. The fact you can tap it with a hammer and release it points away from a hydraulic issue and more towards a mechanical issue. Pull the caliper and see if the pads move freely. Check the sliders also.
if there are any issues at all change the caliper, rebuilts are cheap and you can get them loaded with new pads as well.

[bosco200]

Ok Thanks Ill do that.