Front brake grab/sticking after pad, rotor, and brake hose replacement

styoung94 · Post by **styoung94** » 31 Dec 2016, 16:07

Hey, so as the titles states I just replaced the flexible brake hose, the pads and the rotor for the front. The old set was pretty warped, and slowing down had the typical pulsing. The new brake hose is myele, and the pads/rotors are the 5 piece bosch kit from fcp. The whole process seemed to go well, the caliper boots were all intact but the body and holder were fairly rusty. I used a wire brush to clean them off slightly and used a ton of grease to avoid future noise.

Is it common for new pads and rotors to grab a little when they're first installed? I could feel the resistance when I spun the rotors by hand when everything was back together. I bled the brakes correctly, and the pedal is firm. When driving I can feel the resistance when ideling and accelerating more so than before I replaces all this stuff, but it does roll better when in neutral and slightly slow down. After drivingaround the block and braking hard there was a minor burning smell, but I assume that is from the brake cleaner and grease that may have gotten on the rotors/pad. I did clean the rotors to remove the manufacturing oil before I installed them.

So yea is this normal at all? Should I give it a few days and see if the pads wear a little and don't grab as much? Is there a way to check to make sure the rotors aren't overheating? I don't have a caliper to make sure the pads are the right thickness, but I can get one. Any insight is appreciated, Thanks!

Post by **erikv11** » 31 Dec 2016, 17:38

Drive around the block a couple times at slow speed, using the brake a little is fine, then when you park it hold your hand NEAR the rotor (don't touch the rotor, of course). Walk around the car and check all the rotors. If a caliper is sticking on one of them, the rotor will be hotter then the others.

Or put the front end back up in the air, now that you have driven the car some the wheel should spin freely with the transmission in neutral. Brakes should not drag but a little noise is normal.

Once you sort out the calipers to be sure things are working properly, I would "bed in" the new pads to the new rotors.

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 31 Dec 2016, 21:27

I wouldn't be completely surprised if at least one of your calipers has some rust in it, and isn't retracting as it needs to.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Jan 2017, 05:34

Use a little water as a test. Drive for 5-10 minutes, then throw a cup of water onto each rotor and see if you get a slight sizzle ( ok) or the huge Thomas the Tank Ebgine geyser of steam ( sticking something)

Or you can do what I did once..touched two finger tips to my rear Beetle rotor and scientifically studied the differential propagation of neural pain signals between sizzling flesh sound and nerve receptors.

It's 750 microseconds, uncorrected for speed of sound at 300 feet altitude.

styoung94 · Post by **styoung94** » 01 Jan 2017, 08:57

Thanks for all the replies. I drove around and compared the temp of all the rotors by placing my hand near them, the rear two are similar and the front two are similar and naturally the front two are significantly warmer. So I don't think it's a issue of one bad caliper.

I like the idea of the water test and will check back in after trying that.

After looking into the bedding in process for pads and rotors, I believe that is whats happening and will see how it is after a few more miles.