Aspire drivers side front brake locking???

[scotty0607]

Hey, My front brake drivers side keeps locking up. I have bleed the whole system 3 time and put new brakes on 2 weeks ago. Also my brake pedal does does not start working until it is pressed in about 3-4 inches. Does
anyone have any idea what could be the problem? Please reply asap! Thanks, Scott

[batstiva]

I suspect you have a caliper malfunction. Batstiva's right front got like that once. The piston would not always retract when you let off the brake. Because it would not retract correctly, it would grab a lot harder than the left side when I hit the brakes. Do you happen to have a spare festy you could rob one from just to find out for sure. If you've bled the system correctly, and I am assuming you have no visible leakage, that kind of leaves the caliper as the culprit. Anyone else?

[Pu241]

Bat, he has an Aspire, don't think Aspire and Festiva calipers are interchangeable.

FWIW, I had the same problem.
Replaced the caliper, used the same pads, fix it right up!
Still not certain that explains the having to press the brake pedal in so far before it engages.
Could be pending Mater cylinder failure.

[crazyrog17]

Master cylinder was my first thought as well, but the caliper would be the culprit if it's still engaged after you let off the brake.

[TominMO]

Probably caliper; corrosion in one or both of the slider bores (which let the caliper slide in and out, in relation to the rotor). Either run a wire brush thru the slider bores, or replace the caliper.

[batstiva]

Bat, he has an Aspire, don't think Aspire and Festiva calipers are interchangeable.

Doh!! :tard:
Tho, my diagnosis remains unchanged. Just might not want to swap the aspire caliper for a festy one. :roll:

[scotty0607]

The caliper is not retracting, but even tho thats the side that locks up the brakes dont seem to be grabbing the rotor?..also what would explain why the brake pedal wont start working until it is almost to the floor?..sorry with all the questions its really confusing me.

[TominMO]

Fix the caliper.

[Ogrekhan]

Hey,

Another likely culprit is the rubber line . These lines use a double wall setup , and in some cases the inner wall fails allowing fluid to push past. This causes the outer wall to pinch the inner closed. When pushing the brake pedal there is enough pressure to get past and close or partially close the caliper however the fluid can't return. This leaves the caliper clamped down on the rotor sometimes, others it just doesn't fully release.

[Mctiva]

Although this may not completely fix the problem you may need to consider a little pb blaster for external acc. and some high temp moly lube for internal caliper/cylander push.
oftentimes the hidden grime will buildup and seize the parts.