Brakes sticking, what is the problem?

[Richard Kolb]

So recently I've noticed that my brakes are sticking. When they do it feels like I'm hauling a huge load and then they really stink when I get home. So two questions, what could be causing this? I have 17250 on the truck, it's an 03, and the warrenty runs out in September. Next, there is some brake fluid on the master cylinder that looks like it leaked out somehow. Any ideas on what is wrong?



Next question, should I bring it in to the dealer? Dealerships aren't the cheapest place for labor but I suspect it is a warrenty issue. Thanks.

 

[Frank Marano]

might need a slider service on your calipers?

 

[Kevin Palmer]

OK. The brkae fluid leak is more than likely from the fluid heating up at the point of the item that is sticking. For example, if it is a caliper, the heat from the stcking pads transfers to the fluid. The fluid heats up and expands. As it expands it has to go some where. Since the only relief is up, it leaks out the cap.



What you need to do is feel around all four brake areas to determine which wheel or wheels are sticking. One or two of them will be plenty hot. Dont burn yourself.



Repost what you find and then we can give you a better direction to head.

I can esily tell you ten things that MAy be wrong as it stands right now. That would just waste your time for now though.

 

[Richard L]

You probably have sticking calipers due to unlubricated slides or perhaps even damaged caliper piston bores. If the fluid is leaking at the master cylinder, it may just be a bad reservoir gasket, or it could be overheating as Coastiejoe said.



If your fluid had been contaminated by moisture, the moisture in the brake system will lower the boiling point of your fluid, and the water will turn to steam and increases the pressure in you brake system especially in the calipers and wheel cylinders that actuate the brakes.



...Rich

 

[Richard Kolb]

Well, I went to the dealer to get an idea of what was going on. On the way the front passenger side locked up bad enough to make it hard to drive. Luckily I was about 1/4 mile from the dealer. I drove in and they didn't want me driving it home, so it is there tonight and they'll fix it tomorrow. They'll cover it so I won't worry about it.

 

[Richard Kolb]

It seems I don't know what I'm talking about. They dealer called me to say that both rear brakes were locked up, not the front passenger side. It seems funny to me since I sniffed each wheel and only one smelled like brake dust. But, they replaced the entire rear brake assemblies and the brake fluid. I'm curious to see if that fixes it, and why they felt they had to replace the brake fluid. If it was because of water, how did water get in there?

 

[TRACket Paul]

if the locked brakes overheated the fluid it can't work properly. It's wise to change it.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

If the brake fluid got hot enough to boil or close to it, it absorbs moisture. Once absorbed, its pretty much in there for good until you change out the fluid.