Stuck Brake Caliper or Bad Rubber Brake Line  

Ive been working on my own vehicles for a long time and never knew the hose could be the problem awesome video thank you

U can always tell if a mechanic is good by attention to detail. This guy has my respect.

1.5 million views, and probaly 1.2 million taking credit for your video and teaching lessons here. that means this was a awesome video, well done. thanks man.

Thank You Thank You. Everyone who is not a car machanic, needs you as a best friend or a good neighbor at least.

The accent somehow makes him more credible

Wilber that is a great way to bleed the brakes, I like it. I just greased the pins and it seems to have stopped the front left brake binding, if it sticks again I will replace the hose and caliper and use your method of bleeding the brakes.

Thank you greatly! I've been trying to figure out where I'm having problems for 2 days now. I haven't been able to find a single thing. Your video is the only thing that has helped me and you answered everything I needed to know. Thank you again!

Thank you for posting, I am getting ready to replace the brake lines and 're-work my caliper' ~ this video is helpful ~ I suspect the brake line, but (have all of the parts) to proceed further if needed.

Great video; thanks for sharing! I just replaced both front brake calipers/brackets on my son's 2007 Toyota Corolla and was able to verify the left caliper was in fact the culprit in this case.

Wow! I'd give this two thumbs up if I could! So far one of the most detailed and best explained videos on the subject I've seen. Thanks for taking time to share this!

Very good video. You are the man of brakes.

Great video, very well explained, too bad no one in the comments knows how drum brakes work, ah well they are relics now a days to the domestic industry

Great video! I have the same issue with my Ford Edge. Parts are on order and I'll be changing them out tomorrow.

Great video. Instructions were clear and thorough

Thank you sir!!! This is probably the best informational video I've seen on here don't skip steps and you take the time to describe what you're doing.. One question what is gravity bleeding and how do I do it? Does car have to be running? I'm guessing with cylinder cap off not running

Very helpful and well made. Thank you!

Nice video. I have subscribed. The mechanic changed new master cylinder and bled but still have spongy brake sometimes, so I guess it is the caliper and maybe hose. Most of times I get spongy brake when making left U turn while slow driving. Any advice please?

_Just stumbled across this vid. Yep, I had this happen 6 months ago on my wife's Pontiac GTP. She had burnt the dust boot around the caliper piston and blued the rotor, probably made it hard as diamond xD. I bought a new caliper, rotor and pads. Like you, I couldn't get the caliper to budge until I loosened the bleeder. I went back to Autozone and bought the new flexible line and everything's worked like normal since._ _I took the old line to work with me (Ind Maint Tech since '88) and performed an autopsy on it and found the inner liner had split and folded backwards at the crimped hyd fitting, at the bracket (i guess because of it flexing ). And yes it was acting like a check valve, just like you said._ _I know these new Poly-Lined hyd hoses protect Industrial systems from rubber debris in sensitive systems, but they're not designed to be flexed on a regular basis, like they are in autos. Like most all plastics the Poly liners get brittle over time._ _I'm sure your vid will help thousands of people. I think during the next oil change/tire rotation, I'm going to replace the passenger side flex line also._

No leaks, I watched for ya!

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I've replaced everything but the hoses, lines, and expensive stuff and still dragging. Apparently this is fairly prevalent in Ford F150 in the 2002_2006 or so era. As is brake line rust. So here comes the penetrating oil and trip to the ijit auto parts place for hoses..... Thanks man, nice troubleshooting and video!!!

Haha "If you see any leaks, yell out and tell me."

If you suspect a brake line causing the caliper to drag just pump up the brakes and verify the brake is still dragging then crack the bleeded open. If fluid squirts out then there is still pressure in the system. Then also see if the caliper freed up. Not sure how much of a squirt is too much? Compare to the other side, as long as the other side is not hanging up also.

After replacing my rear end spider gears i put everything back the way it was, but when i got to bleeding the brakes only my front brakes would get fluid coming out, but not my back ones, my brake pedal wouldnt get hard, its loose because the back brakes aren't getting fluid through, what do you think the problem might be? Some people told me it wasn't the master cylinder because my front brakes were getting fluid so it is working.

Straight to the point. Awesome

That was beautiful…gave me lots to think about…Thanks!!

Thank you so much, god bless you

I've got a 2000 Olds Alero with sticking caliper(s), I think its the front passenger side as when you hit the brakes it kind of pulls that way a little bit. I don't drive the car too often, it sat about a month and ahalf and when I went to drive it it felt like the brakes were dragging...severely. I truely believe its rust/corrosion but will check those lines out too. Thanks!

Great diagnostic tips, thanks!

I remembered watching this when you originally posted it, and referred back to it this week. Turns out I had a bad hose on my old Town & Country minivan. You do a great job of calmly, methodically diagnosing problems. I would have figured it out on my own, but not without a lot of head scratching and wasted time. Thank you for making these wonderful videos! I always look forward to them!

Thanks , this video helps a lot.

Thanks for the helpful video . Question .Can u free a sticking caliper?

Great explanation, and video work. Will use it to help me fix a stuck caliper tomorrow. Thanks for taking the time to do stuff like this, subscribed.

I've never gravity bled brakes before... always had to have someone apply the footbrake a number of times.. Great clip.

How tight do you couple the brake hose to the brake line? I wouldn't want to strip the line threads. Also, it would be interesting to see a hose split open and like nailed to a piece of wood so you could see exactly where and how the blockage looks. Thanks.

question, I've got a 95 gmc k1500 that's had a drag on my left driver tire for along time now. I've replaced the hose 3x, the caliper 3x, rotor 2x, the cv axles 1x, master cylinder 3x, brake booster 2x and the hub assembly 2x. I'm out of ideas on what to do next. but I know its the caliper sticking because it'll spin freely with out the caliper on it. any advice would be appreciated.

2013 Kia Sorento EX brake pads crumbling up breaking apart metal backing plate came off of the inside pad and when open caliber to check the Piston already is retracted am I looking at a blocked brake hose?

So It could be my hose? I changed 2 calbers, and its still sticking. sometimes the brakes vibrate, and pretend its not gonna stop.

This is really helpful,, it was my hose,,,good on ya bro for doing passing the knolage,,, ,i have a feeling there will be a seat in Valhalla reserved for you,,🍀

I had same problem. Made same fix, still had same problem. On a hunch I pulled parking brake release....fixed it!! No my parking light indicator was NOT on. 2008 Silverado. It was barely barely engaged but apparently enough to grab the driver's side front wheel.

some very useful tips, thanks...that gravity bleed is something I've never seen before so for me working on my car by myself most of the time that is very useful...

Wow💥 that makes perfect sense !!! 👍

I gravity bleed 90% of my brake hydraulics...Is that a floating rotor...?..looked like the top was pushing a little more than the bottom..Nicely sorted mate.

what it means when i took my rear caliber off, and it was hard to tigthen with my sea clamp. when i put my new shoes in, it burned them to dust? and it feels like my truck is straining like its constipated? do you think I need to change the caliber?

I've replaced my passenger calipers 2 times in 5 months and they recently started getting really hot and you could smell it burning so I'm guessing the brake hose is the problem.

I believe i have the same problem as Federick Dunn.. my 2000 crown Victoria has a bad burning smell on my right rear.. we have change the rear axle, and caliper. So i believe it is the hose..smh...wow

Excellent work, thank you for sharing. Question, if a leak develops at the banjo bolt, hose connection to caliper, calipers have been changed out, new washers, hose block end looks good but still have drip leaking. have you seen a problem with the banjo bolt itself causing the leak?

thanks..I am fighting a problem with fluid leaking out around the copper washers and hose/banjo bolt.I replaced the caliper since I saw a defect around where banjo bolt goes thru and also tride new washers with the new caliper and it still seeps,but less.Never had this before.Only option is to try a new banjo bolt and or a new hose.Fluid is not coming out of hose or it's pressed on fitting.

finally some new info for a nightmare problem, after changing suspect calliper with used part still rotor was seized solid now i will try hose replacement as a last resort

Great Straight up Video Thanks Awesome Job nice and gravity bleed when you don't have a helper!

Thanks CJ

awesome video and a lot of very important details comes from a pro tech and deserve thump up from me and add % 100 on top of it ,thank you very much master tech.

Generally as a rule, I replace the hose with the caliper. Same as soon as I suspect the caliper of hanging up, I know where I live that bleeder screw is just going to snap off. I do not mess around any more with trying to break a frozen bleeder screw loose, its not worth my time trying to free it up. Its easier just to replace old parts than fart around with mabe its this, mabe its that. I hate taking things off and putting them back on again and again.

Do you put that screwdriver on the the brake disc? That wont damage brake disc while pulling?

I wish I would have found this video earlier. I just replaced my caliper and hose because of this sticking issue. I guess I’ll never know which one was actually the problem.

If you're changing caliper and line can you attach the new line to the new caliper before installing new line?

I have a 2010 Jeep Liberty and very recently the brakes seem to be dragging/sticking. After driving about 30 minutes I can feel the car starting to drag. At one point I stopped for gas and now it had a full-on thumping noise as if I had a flat tire. At very slow parking lot speeds the jeep was also hard to steer. And when I pulled away from the gas pump it felt like the brakes did not want to let go. It had a creaking noise for a few seconds. As I increased speed the creaking would sop. I think it's only happening to one of my front brakes - ANYONE HAVE IDEAS ??

Hey guys I am at my wits end. I have a 2015 F150. I started noticing a rubbing/dragging in my brakes. At low speeds I would hear a sound that was like a grinding noise. Very low pitched. I changed the pads (twice), rotors, calipers. I have changed one brake hose (drivers side) because that was the only hose available...anywhere. Still get the same noice. I thought it may be the IWE because I have a 4x4. So I have changed out the solenoid and check valve. Still getting the same grind or rubbing noise. I ordered the other sides brake hose, so I’ll change it soon. What else can I be missing? I can feel the rub in the pedal so I am leaning towards the brakes. I hope changing the hose will work, but again this is a 2015. I do have a lot of highway miles on the truck (72k). Any ideas??

Great video helped me sort my motorcycle brakes. Thanks.

Hi its Ron again. Totally confused. I tried your suggestions, however, I’m confused as to-weather the stainless clip is inst. properly. The clips are a different length. Can you tell me which clip goes on left side of the bracket or the right? I would like to try and send you photos.

This video was very helpful especially when you showed how the brake caliper is supposed to move when you mash brakes. Thank you for sharing.

my passenger side brakes locked up yesterday with smoke. The next day I was able to turn the wheel and compress the caliper once removed and reinstalled. Now the passenger side no longer locks up after a test drive of about 10 miles. Any idea what happened?

great step by step visual video. I rely on these a lot. I do have a problem I can't find. 93 bronco. and BOTH front wheel hubs / lug nuts are so hot after driving short in town that you can't touch them. To fix I have replaced (on both sides) : pads, rotors, calipers, rubber brake hose from caliper and master cylinder. since the lug nuts are hot from smelly hot brakes on BOTH sids, I believe it has to be up at master cylinder. Could it be the metal brake lines ? Could it be the metal valve conection point at mastercylinder? I did not replace that nor did i replace the metal brake lines. This is driving me nuts. I have put 700 miles on the new pads/rotors calipers... still getting too hot like brakes are dragging.. any ideas?

THANKS MAN. Many People will save money and appreciate this and other helpful videos for many years to come.

Joke: Did you ever blow bubbles when you were young? Well Bubbles The Clown is back in town, and wants to see you again! LOL

Need to take the bleeder completely out to make sure the bleeder isn't clogged.

Have a 2001 Pontiac grand Prix when push on front brakes it feels like it is graving the front when abs light comes on it quits wht could that be thanks

Good video, I learned a lot, keep em coming, thx for the info

What exactly did you do to “readjust the brake” after the test drive, because the pedal still felt low?

after watching this video i believe that hose was most likely still good...when u opened the bleeder and moved the caliper, barely any fluid came out....if the hose was truely in bad shape wouldn't there be more fluid coming out of the bleeder?

If I left my e brake on n the mechanic shop saysing I have a seized rear driver side caliper now. Does that mean they didn’t release it? Cause my suv was driving normal would pull to either side how do u diagnosed that. ? Please help me before I get them to put a new one on thanks

That voice sounds familiar! You in S.W. Michigan? Great video! I usually discard those copper washers on banjo bolt for steel ones. On tightening up the pads/piston to rotor I usually put a lug with spacer under it on a stud on opposite side of rotor from caliper before hitting the pedal... thanks, Trevor

If you open the bleeder right from the get go - and have someone slowly depress the brake - if fluid comes out in a spirt - the line is fine. Move on to the caliper. Really no need to change both, if this was done first.

I would think that it would be good practice to replace the hose too if you are replacing the caliper, especially if you are charging a customer. So you don’t have a comeback.

You rock! I've been looking for this

not a bad method but wont work for cars with twist in calipers

So rather than clean out the piston and replace the bushings for a few bucks you go to the expense of a whole new caliper? Curious as to why?

It appears to a Ford, however I didn't notice the rust usually associated

I had both front rubber brake lines collapse on my 95 dodge neon. I went through a brake rotor and 2 sets of pads before I figured it out because I'd never heard of the line doing that.

Thanks! Great video, and a natural teaching style! This is helping me get my work truck back on the road! I could watch you working on cars and talking about it all day!

Could also be metering valve,,,by loosening bleed screw you relieved pressure and eliminated caliper as the problem,,

wtbm123, I have had the same problem with only the rear driver's side of my mustang. There is a grinding sound whenever I'm driving(fast or slow), plus the rear driver's side rotor smells like something burning and super hot compared to the rest of the rotors. I already resurfaced the rotors and changed the pads but it is still doing the grinding noise. Oh, and I also changed the Caliper. Would you think it might be a clogged up brake hose that's causing the problem??

I’m still amazed at the banjo design and how 2 copper washers can stop brake fluid from leaking. If I was designing it I would have had a screw down fitting like on the other end of the hose has.

Good eye Ziggy . I saw it on the video too, The rotor is loose on there. I took it all apart and re lubed the slides, then realized the pads were wore on a taper. I think that may be doing it. Thanks for watching .

Thank you for making this video but I follow all steps and was trying to stop at a red light after doing about 45 and the brakes went out and i smashed into a mini van. Any ideas?

Thanks-I just got a new banjo bolt to install.Hope that fixes it.If not last thing is hose.Really can't see anything wrong there though.Problem is very small.

I have a Hyundai Accent 2011 with stuck brake issues. I replaced the rotors calipers and pads(I use ceramic) and still with the same problem, When the car is cold the system work very well but after several minute start with the stuck issues. So, the problem could be the brake hoses? I will appreciate all help. Thank you

Thank you

Remember that dot3 brake fluid absorbs water from the air!

Best brake caliper video instruction.

great info thanks

Hey hey hey I saw a dribble of brake fluid. Thanks for bring us along on the repair. 😁😁😁😁

We replaced the caliper and hose on a 99 S10 Blazer and the new caliper is still sticking. Scratching our head on this one. Also ABS light came on.

A question for you, I'm having problems with my front brake, the piston is getting stuck so I done replaces them both (front) replaced the rubber hoses that go from caliper to the master cylinder, replaced the brake fluid and bled the lines and the front pistons are still sticking (replaced calipers too) can you help?

You sound like pete. The body shop guy cant remember his exact channel name.

Great vid well done

Thanks for the video...I just bought a 91 oldsmobile station wagon and the front brakes were not working at all..I put on a set of new caipers and pads..plenty of brakes now but the driver side was sticking and causing the car to pull to that side...also it would stop sticking sometimes but then it didn't work at all because when braking the right would pull and I had to turn the steering wheel to the left to keep the car on the road..I exchanged the driver side caliper for another because I thought it was defective but the newest one is doing the same..with the wheel off if I hit the brakes it gets tight and will not release until I open the bleed valve a little..then it spins free..the rubber line is new looking but I took it off and I could shoot air through it in both directions...my ABS light is not on but I wonder if it could be a problem?I might try and bypass it because that thing looks expensive!...I don't think the master cylinder is bad because the other front wheel is working good..could it be that I don't have the system bled good enough?...I am by myself and have to wait for my neighbor to pump the brakes for me..if you have a minute maybe you might think of something I didn't..thanks

Thank you, my old reliable Malibu 2006 got the same problem, I replaced both front hoses and problem solved, next I will replace the two rear hoses too just in case, after all they all are same age. Thank you.

you said the pedal felt low, so you re-adjusted the rear brakes? how do you do that? i probably won't be able to re-adjust mine because i got a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT.

Thanks

Very well done explaining everything so perfectly thanks for helping me out