Stuck Caliper ate my Brake Pad

[jruz]

Well, my lack of keeping an eye on things has finally bit me in the butt. I noticed a slight "grinding" feeling / sound while braking in the LX. After taking off the tire of the suspected side (front driverside), I found out just one of the pads was completely gone!

The metal backing plate was doing the grinding all along the rotor. One of the pistons absolutely will not budge, must have slowly made its way out there to stick the pad against the rotor.

I realize I can try to rebuild the caliper, but time is money in my life right now - so I will be picking up a new (or rebuilt) caliper tomorrow. Once that is set and there is a new pad, I'll need to take it in to get the rotor swapped out.

Which brings me to my question - is there any safe way to separate that caliper from the rest of the system?

Seems like a hose clamp is only strong enough to keep fluid from leaking out, not holding back boosted pressure.

 

[super90]

Not sure I totally understand the question. You are going to open the system to install the new caliper and will have to bleed the brakes after that.


One thing I did when this happened on my rig......I needed to wait on the Toyota reman calipers to arrive, so..... I just got some new pads from the local parts store and put them in. That kept me going for a few days until parts arrived. Be aware that your braking is not going to be totally even on each side, so drive extra carefully for that period.

To really do this properly, one should do both sides the same.

 

[breathed]

Do not try to drive your vehicle with only one front caliper.

 

[jruz]

Not sure I totally understand the question. You are going to open the system to install the new caliper and will have to bleed the brakes after that.

I was just looking for a way to avoid getting the caliper on there now and then "wasting" a pad by using it with the bad rotor - on the drive to the dealer.

 

[jruz]

Do not try to drive your vehicle with only one front caliper.

Yep, I'm pretty sure there is no "safe" way to do it. I figured I would throw the question out there and see if anyone had a genius method that works...

In all likelyhood, I will be replacing the whole caliper and letting the rotor eat up the new brake pad on my drive to the dealer.

 

[Beowulf]

In all likelyhood, I will be replacing the whole caliper and letting the rotor eat up the new brake pad on my drive to the dealer.

You could get a flatbed ride to the dealer for the price of a set of pads and be much safer.

As you were advised above, you should replace both calipers.
-B-

 

[jruz]

You could get a flatbed ride to the dealer for the price of a set of pads and be much safer.

As you were advised above, you should replace both calipers.
-B-

The closest dealer is 30 miles away, but I am considering cashing in on my AAA towing coverage. There's a Schwab about 5 miles away, but I've had past brake service issue on my 4Runner there so I'll be avoiding them for now.

That Toyota dealer only has new calipers, at $380 - ouch! They're calling around for Toyota reman sources, I will probably end up picking up some remans from Schucks or Napa at about $100/ea.

 

[jruz]

Aah - good news, they are able to get remans (using OE parts) for $112. Looks like I'll be going that route so I can get it on the road and over there for the rotor work.

 

[super90]

I would get the Toyota remans from CDan. According to my notes, I paid $281 for both which I think included a $40 core deposit.

I think I paid $30 or something for cheap brake pads at O-reilly or somewhere. Those were the ones that I used for five days on that one side. My rotor was not that chewed up because I caught it immediately, but all new rotors went in later.

 

[jruz]

Alright - reman caliper is installed, cheap-o pads from Schucks installed, system bled out a bit, and it's braking like a champ now.

I figured I would take some pictures since you folks all like to see things just like I do.





The rotor looks about the same - just like an LP!
I could not get pics of that because it's the inner side.

I'm off to the dealer tomorrow for the rotor replacement, I will likely get both sides replaced. The rear will be a project for the summer, and I will take the DIY route there.