Rear Caliper is Frozen

"RyanFrew" (ryanfrew) 05/21/2014 at 16:50 • Filed to: None

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Has anyone done a full brake job like this before?

I'm so angry with myself. Today, I started getting a bit of a grinding/whirring noise from the passenger side, rear wheel and prayed that a rock had gotten in there or that the brake shield got bent somehow. No such luck. I took it in to get checked out since I have to work today and the guy said that it was brake grind. Not only was there brake grind on the driver's side, but somehow the passenger side caliper is completely frozen to the rotor. So this mechanic thinks I'm a dumbass...which I am. What pisses me off even more is that the car has a brake sensor. So either the sensor didn't get replaced by the original owner, it's broken, or it's useless. Either way, the quote from the local mechanic was $700 to replace rear calipers, pads, rotors, and brake sensor. Pretty reasonable quote in my opinion, but an irrelevant one.

So, now I have to drive to Cleveland from Cincinnati so that I can get back to all of my tools, which are at my parents house, and order about $400 worth of parts.

Picture above of my MINI during brighter days.

Chris Clarke > RyanFrew 05/21/2014 at 16:53

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Easy. You can use my tools if you want. Both my rear froze. I rebuilt one and bought a rebuilt for the other. My old S4 rebuilt caliper was on $90, and pads with sensor where $20. Didn't need a rotor, but I can't imagine stock parts would add that much.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RyanFrew 05/21/2014 at 16:54

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Not the hardest of jobs but make sure to clamp brake lines well so you dont get brake fluid everywhere when you change calipers. Also expect plenty of rusted bolts.

Steve Leonard > RyanFrew 05/21/2014 at 16:55

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The same thing happened on my 03 MCS, for what ever reason the part was super hard to get a hold of too, ended up taking a month, and the parts store felt so bad, and my father in law was the manager at a local repair shop that bought parts from him, that they gave it to me for free, a 350 dollar part.

505Turbeaux > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/21/2014 at 16:56

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clamp brake HOSES please, not lines, or you are in for some shit

RyanFrew > Steve Leonard 05/21/2014 at 16:56

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OEM caliper? I think I'm going to get a remanufactured loaded caliper and then probably replace the pads pretty shortly on the new one.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > 505Turbeaux 05/21/2014 at 16:57

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I'm sure he knew what I meant haha

505Turbeaux > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/21/2014 at 16:58

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lol just making sure

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > RyanFrew 05/21/2014 at 17:07

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Apply fire ti melt it

desertdog5051 > RyanFrew 05/21/2014 at 17:55

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Personally, I would replace worn brake parts and not the sensor. Pull your wheels every 8-9 months, depending on your type of driving. I know, Old School.

RyanFrew > desertdog5051 05/21/2014 at 18:14

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I'm not totally convinced that the sensor needs replaced, but it's like $12. From here on out I will check the brakes much more frequently though, regardless of the sensor's existence.

desertdog5051 > RyanFrew 05/21/2014 at 18:21

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I do not like to rely on electronic stuff to do the job I can do better.