Brake Caliper stuck

[mac 108]

I was changing my rear brakes on my 91 GST and I can't get the rear caliper to slide off of the metal pivot sleeve. I have tried everything to get it loose but is stuck. I don't see how it's stuck on a smooth metal sleeve but it is. How can I get it loose?

 

[h3o]

*edit* oops taught you said rotor for some reason. is your emergency brake handle off?

 

[prplhz96]

I literally just went through the same problem yesterday. What I did was rotate the caliper up and took a rubber mallet while pusing the caliper in towards the car and started persuading. It is ###### full of rust, and will take a little time to get off. I am sure you can pull the caliper/torque plate and remove it from the car and do this in a vise, but I was able to remove mine without removing the caliper. When you get the caliper off, just clean the pin with a scotch brite pad or similar and the same on the caliper, lube it up good and reinstall.

 

[mac 108]

Yeah I beat the hell out of it with a hammer and pryed on it, but it wouldn't come loose. I guess I am just going to have to keep working on it. I guess someone didn't grease the pivot point during a brake change in the past.

 

[gurmanator]

im not sure what you mean by pivot point but there are two bolts and e-brake cable.loosen the bleeder screw.

 

[mac 108]

The e-brake is disconnected.

After that there are two points at which the caliper is attached to the bracket. The lower point has a bolt that is removed, then the caliper swings upwards and rotates on the higher point which does not have a bolt. This gives you access to the brake pads. It is then supposed to be able slide back and forth on the pivot point and slide completely off.

I believe GVR4s had bigger brakes, so yours are probably different.

 

[Vallary99]

Try PB Blaster or WD40 to try to "loosen" it up some.

 

[prplhz96]

just to add, try heating the caliper with a torch(propane or mapp gas). Keep away from the seals, and keep the heat only where the pin slides in. That, lots of pb, and your hammer will do the trick.

 

[LessIsMore]

The pin is rust welded inside the bore. I had to wail away at it with a sledge hammer to seperate the the caliper, I mean WAIL. The pivot boot is most likely bad allowing water into the bore and rusting it all together over time.

I ended up replacing the boot, removing the rust from the bore and pin with a dremel and lubed everything back up with caliper lube.