disc brake dragging 83 burb-help

[slickmainer]

I have an 83 2wd suburban with front disc brakes. I don't drive this every week and it was all working 3 weeks ago.

I have a front disc brake that is dragging really bad. The truck pulls to the right and almost comes to a stop. I instantly noticed it was pulling to the right so I applied the brakes and pumped them to see if it would get better but it just stayed tight and pulled harder. Everything was really hot to the touch, hub, studs, lugnuts, and it smelled horrible and was smoking (this was after a half mile of driving at about 30mph)

I jacked up the truck and tried to spin the tire while in Neutral...no spin, not even with a tire iron on a bolt and me wrenching away.

I got the wheel off and the pads look almost new and the rotor edge is rust free and so is the surface. again it was all working 3 weeks ago then it sat for about a week and then i drove it around the yard, then it sat again for a week, then i backed up it yesterday (too little movement to feel anything), then it sat till this evening

1) I have no clue what tool is to be used to get the caliper off, it doesn't look like regular bolt heads (like a modern car). what tool do i need to get those two bolts out of there?

2) It almost feels and looks like the piston isn't retracting all the way...or at all. What can be done to lube this up and get it freely working again.

3) I didn't see brake fluid on any of the lines so I don't think there is a leak.

4) there is plenty of fluid in the reservoir

5) other brakes appear to be functioning fine

6) does the master cylinder have a bladder inside it or just a rubber gasket and lid?

Any ideas of where to start looking? or what to do once I get the caliper off?

thanks
gregg

[1ugly88]

the caliper bolts should be a 3/8 allen. pull em out and make sure the slides move freely.if not, just clean em and grease em. try pushing the piston back in. if it's stuck then you need a caliper. i'm betting on stuck slides though.

[slickmainer]

will wheel bearing grease work fine or is there something else I should be using specific to the slides?

[1ugly88]

i got w/b grease on mine and it holds up well.

[modular93fox]

if i remember correctly if its the outer pad is worn more, that means its a slider problem. if its the inner pad its a sticking caliper... which means you need a new one...
clint
its best to replace them in pairs...
clint

[FordeatinZ71]

could be a swollen brake hose as well. might wanna try replacing the hose first, that's cheaper...

[BowTieOgre]

Originally Posted by FordeatinZ71

could be a swollen brake hose as well. might wanna try replacing the hose first, that's cheaper...

Thats exactly what was wrong with a truck I had. It would pull to the right going down the road and when braking it was even more apparent. Turns out the brake hose going from the PS frame to the caliper was collapsed inside. When you step on the power brakes your getting mucho PSI pushing the fluid to the caliper but when you let off you have much less force pushing the fluid back, it was acting like a check valve. A new hose pads and a rotor and she stops like new!

[VEGAS84]

It's a 3/8 hex/allen. Use di-electric/caliper grease on the slides, it holds up to water better and don't be stingy.

If you can't retract the caliper then replace it. I agree with others on replacing them in pairs. Also, this is a good time to check and adjust the rest of the brakes, including the rear drums.

[slickmainer]

thanks for all the info, you're really helping me out here! I'll start with getting the bolts out, and checking the pads, then i'll push the piston back in and see if the fluid level rises. If it goes up in the reservoir the hose should be ok...right? or is that wrong?

[slickmainer]

What is the difference between a (semi loaded) caliper and hardware, vs. a loaded caliper and hardware? Napa calls theirs "Semi loaded", and Autozone calls theirs, "loaded?"

Is it as simple as, loaded having everything, pads and clips included. while the semi loaded is just the caliper itself?

Also, is one place better for buying brake parts vs another?

[modular93fox]

i wouldnt think ones better than the other. if your unsure of the brake line, and cant remember when you bought the lines, replace both of them..its that simple. plus you can flush out the brake system. if your at the parts counter, you should buy the calipers too just incase you wind up needing calipers, you wont have to clean up and go to the parts store.
clint

[FordeatinZ71]

loaded is with pads...

[slickmainer]

well after much effort, I as defeated. I wasn't even able to get the two bolts off the caliper. I tried everything (short of heating them up) and they wouldn't budge. I was able to get a small clamp on the piston edge but even then it wouldn't retract back into the piston sleeve. I did not see or feel a weakness in any of the brake lines so its going into the shop for brake work.

[NovaMan]

I'm betting stuck caliper.