98 S70 N/A: Can both rear calipers be seized open?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 31 Aug 2020, 09:28

Hi everyone, still waiting for ready monitors on the S70. (Only about 30 miles driven since the SAS diode delete, fingers crossed it'll work!) I'm not driving it too much lately. But whenever I do, I have to "wear" off rust on my rotors. No biggie. However the other day I noticed that the rust on my rear wheels is not disappearing. Is it common for rear calipers to be seized in the open position? (I've had three front seized calipers that seized on the rotors.)

Replacing the rear calipers is a doozy right? The fact that this car stops on a dime with only front calipers is really something! (That and I love driving the speed limit!)

Really feeling like Job with this car...

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 31 Aug 2020, 10:18

I had a similar issue on my wagon which i believe was resolved by replacing the wheels. This was due to my stupidity in putting on different wear level wheels. My mechanic had a deal for some michelins+roof rails for 130 cad so i made the fix.

I've never have had one seize open though. Had one seize shut so hard that the wheel wont spin. Have you tried pumping the brakes a few times, and what is the condition of the calipers. Are they just pieces of rust or somewhat new? Also, were all the rotors replaced at the same time, and how hard do you hit the brakes when attempting to remove the rust?

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 31 Aug 2020, 11:56

With a sitting car it's certainly possible to seize open. Easy enough to check, in the ssme manner one would normally check for seized calipers. Remove the caliper and pads, stick a block of wood in the middle (smaller than the gap between the pistons, obviously!) and press the brakes.

Post by **abscate** » 31 Aug 2020, 13:37

You can definitely Rust a caliper in the open position. It’s usually rusts in contact and heats up, though

Post by **volvolugnut** » 31 Aug 2020, 18:04

abscate wrote: ↑31 Aug 2020, 13:37 You can definitely Rust a caliper in the open position. It’s usually rusts in contact and heats up, though

I agree can rust in open position. Had it happen on 240. The fault may be internal at the pistons. Could be external at the guide pins.
volvolugnut

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 31 Aug 2020, 18:57

It's certainly possible for them to seize open. The rear brakes on my old '98 V70 did the same thing before I rebuilt the calipers and replaced the rotors and pads. The rust never wore off of the rotors.

Post by **FLXC90** » 31 Aug 2020, 19:16

Caliper R&R shouldn't be that bad, you don't have to pull the rotor and mess with the drum. Pull the calipers up off the rotors, hang them on bungee cords or something, and gently work the pedal, if you can put something in between the pistons, so they won't pop all the way out of their bores great. You can also try shocking them a bit. Try raps with a small deadblow if you have one. Rap at the end of the slide pins, and outside the pistons. Also, if there is a ridge, you can open the bleeder and try to compress the calipers to free them.

Post by **smacknab** » 31 Aug 2020, 20:42

If you end up needing to replace the rear calipers, it was pretty easy when i did it. I i got some remanufactured ones off rock auto for maybe $40 plus core. I think it's just two 13mm bolts holding them on then bleeding the brakes after, thats assuming the brake line nipple isn't seized too bad.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Sep 2020, 03:53

smacknab wrote: ↑31 Aug 2020, 20:42 If you end up needing to replace the rear calipers, it was pretty easy when i did it. I i got some remanufactured ones off rock auto for maybe $40 plus core. I think it's just two 13mm bolts holding them on then bleeding the brakes after, thats assuming the brake line nipple isn't seized too bad.

These last about two years Inthe Northeast and then the silver cheese pistons rust up again and seize.

For a long term runner the Volvo calipers will last 10-15 and won’t burn out your rotors and pads either

They aren’t cheap, $200 each , but it is brakes.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 01 Sep 2020, 15:11

I could've sworn someone had a bear of a job with the rear calipers...

Yeah, they're stuck open. I guess I'm lucky here!

I've know three front calipers that stuck closed. My rotors did like that!! Thanks everyone.