Date:         Sun, 18 Feb 2001 14:32:51 -0900
Reply-To:     "William S. Brown Jr." <brown6@ALASKA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "William S. Brown Jr." <brown6@ALASKA.NET>
Subject:      Brakes Not Releasing
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

I need some advice.  My drivers side brake caliper piston will not release.  The brakes stop the van, but afterward the caliper piston remains tight.  After driving down the road the wheel is hot.

I have removed the wheel, taken out the lower retaining bolt, and with great difficulty pried up the housing.  I removed the pads which look to be about 1/2 worn.  I then used a "C" clamp to push the piston back in a ways, and then I reassembled it all.  At that point the unit slides back and forth on the guide pins as it should, so it is not binding there.  But after I applied the brakes I could, with a pipe wrench, just barely turn the rotor.

Is this a caliper problem?  Can they be rebuilt?  I see is Bentley that you can blow out the piston, but then what?  Do you hone the unit? 

Appreciate any advice you may have.

William
86 Vanagon GL  (275K)

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