Caliper Locked up on AWD...

[E-CLIPS97]

Okay,

I took my car in because it was shaking and vibrating and the tech told me my right front caliper was locked onto the disc. I have been driving this thing for a while like this apparently. It only ever seemed to shake and vibrate at speeds above 40mph. I wouldnt have destroyed anything other than perhaps the disc and pads by driving it would I? I mean it wouldnt have destroyed the t-case or diff would it?

 

[jtmcinder]

I doubt it hurt the t-case, but I'd check the wheel bearing. If the brakes were on all the time (on that wheel), a lot of heat could have been generated.

- Jtoby

 

[RamenPride]

the tech told me my right front caliper was locked onto the disc. I have been driving this thing for a while like this apparently.

I had the same thing happen, but I could tell when it happened right away because the pedal felt different. Anyway, I'm surprised you didn't notice it earlier. In addition to the pedal feel, my driver's side wheel was insanely hot. It got so hot the paint on my caliper caught on fire. I had a hard time finding a replacement, had to buy one online and get it overnighted.

 

[E-CLIPS97]

Well I havent had the car long and it has sat for the majority of the time I have owned it because I couldnt stand the amount of vibration I was getting. I would have started to look into it earlier, but living in Utah without a garage, and trying to fix or work on a car during the winter is impossible, so it sat. Finally I decided to drive it up to a mechanic and they said they could replace both front calipers, resurface both front rotors, and change the brake pads and brake fluid for $200. I couldnt do it for any cheaper myself, so I said sure. Hopefully it fixes the problem.

 

[E-CLIPS97]

Well changing the front calipers fixed the problem. I am wondering however, if a locked up brake could have affected my gas mileage. For the few tanks I had gone through since I owned the car I have gotten about 170 miles to a tank(I know thats aweful). However, now that I changed the calipers, I am getting about 100 miles per quarter tank....

 

[jtmcinder]

I am wondering however, if a locked up brake could have affected my gas mileage.

I really hope this was a joke.

- Jtoby

 

[E-CLIPS97]

I really hope this was a joke.

- Jtoby

Hear me out for a minute. While at first, the notion may seem absurd, think about it for a minute. If you drove around with you E-brake on all the time do you think in any slim chance that you would get fewer miles to the gallon as your car was constantly in brake mode while you were trying to accelerate?

I know its a strech, and dont assume that I am trying to say that changing brakes would gain better gas mileage. I had just been getting AWEFUL fuel economy and now that I fixed my problem, suddenly I am getting good fuel economy. Just a thought

 

[jtmcinder]

Hey, I'll listen for hours, but, when you're done, I'll still not be able to stop myself from having a giggle at your expense. Any constant drag on the car will reduce mileage, whether it be a stuck caliper, the e-brake, a big wonking wing on the back, or massive sub-woofers ... anything. Hell, I've had girlfriends that cost me at least .25 mpg.

- Jtoby

 

[E-CLIPS97]

Hey, I'll listen for hours, but, when you're done, I'll still not be able to stop myself from having a giggle at your expense. Any constant drag on the car will reduce mileage, whether it be a stuck caliper, the e-brake, a big wonking wing on the back, or massive sub-woofers ... anything. Hell, I've had girlfriends that cost me at least .25 mpg.

- Jtoby

I always appreciate a wisemans insightful and useful posts . The truth is, is that your welcome to giggle at my expense all you want. All I know is, is that by changing my locked calipers I doubled the amout of distance I can go on a tank of gas. Crazy and far fetched according to your existance...Perhaps. Do I care....Not Really. So giggle all you want, because believe me, I am the one who is smiling.

 

[jtmcinder]

You are totally misreading my mirth, which is too bad, since I thought my comment about old girlfriends was funny.

What's amusing is that you would have any doubt that riding the brakes reduces mileage.

Yo, Defiant! Time to 86 this thread.

- Jtoby

ps. if you start a new thread about how un-sticking the caliper has also increased your available HP, dropped your ET, or just made your car seem more peppy, I will find you and tickle you mercilessly!

 

[E-CLIPS97]

ps. if you start a new thread about how un-sticking the caliper has also increased your available HP, dropped your ET, or just made your car seem more peppy, I will find you and tickle you mercilessly!

 

[1gcrazy]

wow...