Breaks locking up after putting new roters and pads on.

Tiny
CHERYLSLOVE
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
I have a 2006 dodge caravan and the pads and roters need replacing, so we did it, soon as I went to test drive my wheels locked up! There is fluid going to breaks or the tires would be locking up with out the new pads right? We have gone through 3diffrent kinds of pads and keep having to take them back off and going without new anything because my friend says they would be locking up with the old pads and roters on is this true? I have to get them fixed or end up in a wreck or worse. Please help me?
Tuesday, August 8th, 2017 AT 11:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,757 POSTS
Are both front wheels locking up? How does this occur? Is it right away or do you have to drive a few miles and get the brakes warmed up first?

There's two things to consider. The first is there's debris inside the calipers that is blocking the pistons from fully returning. That is not real common. The second is something is blocking the brake fluid from returning freely to the master cylinder. To identify that, when the brakes are locked, stop on a slight incline, place a block about a foot downhill from a tire, shift to neutral, then open the bleeder screws on the calipers. If that lets the brakes release, there are multiple possible causes to discuss.

Also look at the caliper mounting hardware. Most people overlook that mounting pins and surfaces must be free of dirt and rust, and they need to be lubricated with special high-temperature brake grease. This is a standard part of a professional brake job. Typically failure to lube the important points results in rapid pad wear. The rust has to be pretty bad to cause a lock-up problem.
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Wednesday, August 9th, 2017 AT 3:14 AM
Tiny
CHERYLSLOVE
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  • 4 POSTS
As soon as we put the tire back on it locks up we can't even drive it, Why dosent it lock up when the old pads and calipers are on?Only does it when we put new pads and roters on
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Wednesday, August 9th, 2017 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,757 POSTS
Did you read my reply? Is this a front or rear wheel? How difficult was it to slide the calipers over the rotors with the new pads? That should tell you if the pads are tight and holding the rotors from turning freely or if the calipers are rubbing on the wheels. With the calipers installed, can you turn the rotors by hand before the wheels are installed?

I've already missed with caliper mounting bolts resulting in the caliper sitting up too high and rubbing on the wheel. That can be identified by the wheel becoming harder and harder to turn as you slowly tighten the lug nuts. You'll start to hear the wheel rub on the caliper, and you'll find shiny rub marks inside the wheel. I've done that more than once.
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Wednesday, August 9th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM

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