1991 YJ front brake problem

[Vasily]

I need some advice. We were out for a ride this weekend in the 91 YJ and the drivers side front brake pad became stuck. It started smoking so we had it towed to the house.
I am looking at a brakepad assembly with a pad stuck in the braking position on the rotor. How can I unstick it? What do I check besides the brake lines. I have looked at them and they appear fine.
The bottom of my jeep is rusty, New England, could there be something wedged in there?

Please help.
Vasily

 

[shvlhd666]

The caliper was probably dragging on the rotor and the pads overheated. You need to open the bleeder valve to relieve the pressure on the pads. If the caliper doesn't loosen up on its' own, take a dead blow hammer and smack the outside of the caliper.

The pins that the caliper ride on are probably dry and need to be cleaned off and lubricated. The brake pads are most likely ruined, so you need to replace them. If the rotor has a lot of heat marks you should have it turned. You might be better off just replacing the rotor.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Sounds like a frozen caliper. Unbolt the caliper and pry it off. Remove the pads and run the caliper piston back into the caliper with a large c-clamp. I wouldn't open the bleeder valve and make sure the lid is on the master cylinder when pushing the piston back in.

WD40 around the piston helps it move freely, you can reuse the caliper but it'll likely seize up again someday. Mine would do it every time I got in mud, got pretty good at getting it free and going again quickly.

 

[Vasily]

Thanks guys, I was thinking that as well, but wanted some more expert advice.
I am now dealing with a very small head on the bolts to release the assembly.
I may just replace the whole mechanism with a rebuilt.
Which brings another question up. How would I make sure the pads are aligned properly? I'm thinking a repair shop to put everything in place after I attach.
Any thoughts?

Vasily

 

[currupt4130]

The pads just clip onto the caliper on the correct orientation. The caliper only goes on one way, and the rotor, well same goes for it. When everything goes back together correctly you have it all correct. Get a Haynes or Chilton manual if you need some walk through help, they're fairly clear on stuff like brakes.

 

[Joopin]

A caliper can freeze closed due to a collapsed brake line as well, so you may want to replace that too.

In the future, if a caliper freezes closed on you, find some water and dump it on the brakes that are failing. I've done it multiple times... works like a charm if you gotta get home without a tow.