Well, I went to put in some new pads today and found a frozen piston on the passenger side caliper. Is there any way to break the piston loose without damaging it or the caliper? I'll most likely get a rebuilt caliper but if I can break it loose for cheap then I will. Funny thing is the truck passed inspection no problem but I have always noticed the brakes would fade after heating up. The pads are well worn and it has the frozen piston. But it still stops straight as an arrow. Not bad for 151K miles on the original rotors(which were turned once).

If the piston is sticking out, I usually find putting the old pads back in and then using something like a c-clamp or a pair of wedges driven into the gap will push them back into the caliper.

1. if you do get it to go back make sure you have not damaged the seal on the piston
the rust on the piston could cut it

2. maybe and it does happen the flex line has colapsed internally will allow fluid through into caliper but not back on return or slow return this would cause brake drag/heat/fade

I have gotton frozen pistons out by using air. Blow the air in through the bleeder port. Make sure you have something soft for the piston to blow into and be careful. When that thing comes loose its going to shoot out of there like a bullet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

If it's really that stuck, it's very unlikely air pressure will pop it out.

Pull the old pads out, then stomp on the brake pedal. The hydraulic pressure should free it and get it to move. I've done this a few times and it's always worked.

Here's the age old answer for frozen pistons----------ya ready? Leave all the other 3 sets alone, disconnect the one frozen caliper from the rotor. Set it so that it is pointed away from all the important stuff, make sure the master cylinder is full. Start the engine to get the booster up to snuff and then stomp you foot on the brake pedal. Guarantee the piston will blow right out of the caliper. Yo will have brake fluid all ove the place but this is a sure way to get er done.

It is not pretty, but it works............

Bill

replace it, it is frozen for a reason.

That's what I'm thinking. This truck owes me nothing so I need to make sure I keep things safe. But I'm assuming it' s been frozen for the past 2 years I've been driving it so I don't think it's a major issue.

Mine did same thing.Still stopped ok,but failed inspection.Heat and lots of it finally got it out.