My Brother and I put on new brakes yesterday on my 1990 Formula Firebird because it had been squeaking because it wore down and the piece that held it in rubbed against the rotor well after replacing the brakes it was fine and it seemed to work for a little while a day but now it seems like my caliper on the right front has seized where the noise was originally coming from anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this (without getting a new caliper) or why this might have happened?

 

Check you caliper mounting bolts. Make sure they're clean and allow the caliper to slide. Bad hoses may also deteriorate inside and not allow fluid out, resulting in the caliper binding against the rotor. A rebuilt caliper should only run about $21 and a set of replacement brake hoses maybe $15. Good investment for peace of mind.

 

The mounting bolts did not want to slide right through and required some persuasion. We'll pull it apart and double check. However, the car is pulling left when the brakes are applied. Is that due to the passenger side caliper issue, or should the driver's side be checked as well. Thanks!

 

when replacing my pads, i do both up front at the same time. there's a 50mile "break in period" until the pad grooves to the old rotor. Today I'm installing new rotors, with new bearings and seals, pads, hoses. mine are toast because the rear brakes weren't working, because of a engineering defect in the rear caliper, (needs rebuilding with GM #18019028 ). but if i were diagnosing the problem, id check the following,: Rotor thickness, rotor grooves, rotor run out, leaks from the seals and hose cracks, and last id bleed the front brakes with a vacuum pump. that solve a lot for me. and again, if you replace one set of pads in the passenger front caliper, then you must do the same on the drivers side, always, and bleeding is always recommended, but not required always, but its a good habit to remove old fluid. NAF above is right about brake hose collapsing. rebuilding the caliper isnt hard, my uncle used to shoot the pistons out with a compressed air, and have a contest who can shoot them farther(80's were a great time ha) peaace

 

Welcome to TGO. The hose is most often the culprit.

JamesC

 

When you do pads you should always change both sides.Also remove the brake reservoir cover before collapsing the caliper this will relieve any pressure. You may also want to bleed the brakes,have a Buddy help you out.Just to make sure there isn't any air in the line.

Here's a link to our rotor and pad sets it's good stuff and awesome price.

Pontiac Firebird Brake Pad and Rotor Kits