On my wifes 06 Toyota Sienna today I replaced the front pads as the old ones were getting old, and were mostly worn down. I took it out for a spin afterwards, and did some rapid stops to bed the brakes in. Later when stopped at a red light I smelled the tell tale scent of brakes, and thought that it was just from the new pads bedding in. Shortly after I put the car in neutral, and tried feeling if it was pulling to one side or another, and did some braking without my hands on the wheels, and it wasn't pulling either side. I arrived home, and felt/smelled the front wheels, and the passengers side was a lot smellier, and the wheel was really hot which leads me to believe the caliper is hanging up. The pads on that side were worn funny as well, so probably time to replace the caliper, right? Should I just do both? Any particular brand best when doing such a job? Stock Toyota stuff? Van has about 120k on it by the way.
Single piston caliper?
Did you check the sliders for free movement?
Most causes of sticking is the slider pins. They should be cleaned and lubricate anytime the pads are replace.
There also is the possibility of a piston sticking.
It can be cleaned up and new seals installed.
Yes, single piston caliper. I didn't mess with the sliders, or make note of them sliding correctly. I will check that when my wife gets home with the van.
Mazdax605 wrote:
I didn't mess with the sliders, or make note of them sliding correctly.
That's probably the issue then.
So pull them out, clean, and lube? If it isn't the issue, replace both of them, or just the offending?
Chris
Yup, everything should move with minimal drag, if not something is wrong. I doubt you need any new parts on an 06, but disassembly and inspection will tell you.
For the record, you should always clean and lube the sliders when doing brakes.
Okay, top slide pin on passengers side is frozen. How do I get it out? If I can't do it just go get a new caliper bracket, or do I need the whole caliper?
With some swearing, heat, and gumption (plus a torn boot) I was able to get the pin out. Raced to vatozone and bought new pins, boots and lube. Put it all in with time to spare before my wife left for work. Hopefully that fixes it. No time for a test drive. Sweaty and thirsty, but I think I won this round. I will take the drivers side apart mid week to lube up those pins.
Thanks guys,
Chris
For future reference, twist the stuck pin. So long as you cleaned the bore out and re lubed them all, should be good now until next time it needs pads.
