Front brake smoking w/out braking

Nicky B. · 02-12-2013, 12:00 AM

I was cruising along at highway speed when I noticed a lot of vibration in the steering wheel. When I pulled to the side of the road my front right caliper was smoking like crazy. To see if the caliper was locked up I put the car in neutral but I could still push the car. From my understanding the parking brake only effects the back so I dont think that was the issue. The calipers I'm running were put on by waltz 20k miles ago. Does anyone have any idea as to what might be going on?

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Uncle Scotty · 02-12-2013, 12:52 AM

you need a real mechanic to fix it right for ya...junk calipers installed most likely

dont drive it again until you get it fixed

pho_shizzle · 02-12-2013, 12:56 AM

Seized piston or really trashed brake pads, or both. You need to take it apart and see if the slider pins are retracting. Caliper might need a rebuild, or maybe they were just installed wrong. 20k is a long time ago, can you still get them to pay for repairs?

Nicky B. · 02-12-2013, 02:26 AM

Says their warranty is a minimum of 12 months or 12k miles, whichever comes first. Still have the receipt but I have a feeling they are going to say no way. This is ridiculous though, my car doesn't even have 80k miles and I'm potentially looking at a 3rd set of calipers

Counterfit · 02-12-2013, 03:55 AM

12k miles was 8k miles ago.

Nicky B. · 02-12-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counterfit

12k miles was 8k miles ago.

Yes it was

Patrick Olsen · 02-13-2013, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicky B.

Says their warranty is a minimum of 12 months or 12k miles, whichever comes first. Still have the receipt but I have a feeling they are going to say no way. This is ridiculous though, my car doesn't even have 80k miles and I'm potentially looking at a 3rd set of calipers

There are plenty of Subaru enthusiasts in NWIC. Find someone who knows how to work on brakes and have them show you how to take a look at them. It's most likely a bound up slider pin or two, which can be fixed very easily. I don't see any reason to think you need a new caliper.

(Why were the calipers replaced 20k miles ago? And calipers don't have to be replaced in pairs - you only have one potentially bad caliper.)

02-12-2013, 12:00 AM	#1
Nicky B. Scooby Newbie Member#: 148261 Join Date: May 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Vehicle: 2007 Scoopless&Proud SWP	Front brake smoking w/out braking I was cruising along at highway speed when I noticed a lot of vibration in the steering wheel. When I pulled to the side of the road my front right caliper was smoking like crazy. To see if the caliper was locked up I put the car in neutral but I could still push the car. From my understanding the parking brake only effects the back so I dont think that was the issue. The calipers I'm running were put on by waltz 20k miles ago. Does anyone have any idea as to what might be going on? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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02-12-2013, 12:52 AM	#2
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	you need a real mechanic to fix it right for ya...junk calipers installed most likely dont drive it again until you get it fixed

02-12-2013, 12:56 AM	#3
pho_shizzle Scooby Specialist Member#: 181064 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Bay Area Vehicle: 00' 2.5RS BRP	Seized piston or really trashed brake pads, or both. You need to take it apart and see if the slider pins are retracting. Caliper might need a rebuild, or maybe they were just installed wrong. 20k is a long time ago, can you still get them to pay for repairs?

02-12-2013, 02:26 AM	#4
Nicky B. Scooby Newbie Member#: 148261 Join Date: May 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Vehicle: 2007 Scoopless&Proud SWP	Says their warranty is a minimum of 12 months or 12k miles, whichever comes first. Still have the receipt but I have a feeling they are going to say no way. This is ridiculous though, my car doesn't even have 80k miles and I'm potentially looking at a 3rd set of calipers

02-12-2013, 03:55 AM	#5
Counterfit Scooby Specialist Member#: 124254 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Rhode Island Vehicle: 2006 06 SGM Slowbaru "The Scoobinator"	12k miles was 8k miles ago.