Brake Caliper Question

93_Rarity · #1 04-25-2016, 06:09 AM

I was helping a friend move this weekend and was taking an off ramp, decelerating nice and smooth. When I hit a crease in the road, however, the brake pedal kicked me once and I could hear scraping from the front of the truck. Ok, that's not good. Come to a stop, hear a small clunk, and decide to limp it to my friends house, about two blocks away. When I started moving, however, it acted normal. It kicked me once on the way there, and that was it. Checked the fluid, is normal. Lines look good. Pull the wheels off, nothing looked amiss. Take it home without incident.

Drove it to work with no incident, but after work I took it down a dirt road and it kicked every time I hit a washboard or large bump.
Pulled the wheels off again, pulling around on the calipers, they seem a bit loose. Put a ratchet on them, can't get the bolt to tighten up or loosen.
It hasn't made any noise since that first time though.

Masters, lend me your wisdom.

EaOutlaw1969 · #2 04-25-2016, 07:25 AM

What do you mean by the brake pedal kicked you?

Are you saying the brake pedal pushed back on you while braking?

Does your truck have anti lock brakes?

Is it possible one or more of your wheels were locking up while braking ?

Or did the brake pedal " kick you " without applying the brakes?

Are there any warning lights lit up on the dash?

Jswifto · #3 04-25-2016, 12:52 PM

Check your rear brake shoes

93_Rarity · #4 04-25-2016, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EaOutlaw1969

What do you mean by the brake pedal kicked you?

Are you saying the brake pedal pushed back on you while braking?

Does your truck have anti lock brakes?

Is it possible one or more of your wheels were locking up while braking ?

Or did the brake pedal " kick you " without applying the brakes?

Are there any warning lights lit up on the dash?

Like, the pedal retracts a little, then quickly pushes back to about where it was before.

I'm not sure if it has ABS, it's a base-model 4x4.

I don't think the wheels are locking up, there's no sudden jerks or squeals on either side.

It seems to only kick when I hit a significant bump while I'm braking.

I've always got the CEL on, but that's it.

As far as the rear brakes go, I figured since the front end bounces around alot anyways, and whatever sound it made that day came from up front, it had to be the front, but I'll check the rear in the morning.

EaOutlaw1969 · #5 04-25-2016, 01:31 PM

Take a couple pictures of the engine bay, we can tell you if you have ABS.

It sounds like the ABS system if you have one is detecting a wheel locking up.

If your shocks are shot the wheel or wheels effected by the impact of the bump will jump up loosing traction while braking, causing a skid the ABS reacts to this very quickly

You may not hear a skid but you will feel the ABS system working and it can sound like something is very wrong.

To be on the safe side inspect the front and rear brakes. make sure the rear brakes are properly adjusted.

While your under there inspect the shocks front and rear looks for signs of leaks, damaged or missing shock mounting bushings.

When you have the truck on the ground before jacking it up to inspect the brakes, push down on the front of your truck and the back of the truck trying to bounce the truck. it should go down some then back up.

If the truck goes up and down over and over until it settles down replace the shocks.

93_Rarity · #6 04-26-2016, 06:34 AM

Ok, well I got it to start making sounds again this morning leaving work. I'm amazed how I missed it, should have been making a lot more than it was I'd think. Anywho, I'm pretty sure I figured it out. It was definitely coming from the rear this time.
So what does this little bar do, and can I still drive it without this little bar-thing? It looks pretty much toast. I ain't got a ride back to work tonight and it's gonna start coming down here a bit I think. And thank y'all for helpin out, I appreciate it greatly.

EaOutlaw1969 · #7 04-26-2016, 01:45 PM

That is part of your self adjuster. yes remove the all loose pieces and you can drive it.
however you will need to repair it properly soon.