Thread: Brake likes to put out . . . noise and brake dust

If it ends up that I can get the caliper un-stuck, should I replace the pads? I guess I don't get why a stuck caliper = squealing. Could the pads already be worn out?

Originally Posted by barbschwartzer

If it ends up that I can get the caliper un-stuck, should I replace the pads? I guess I don't get why a stuck caliper = squealing. Could the pads already be worn out?

I would replace the pads if the caliper has been dragging. It means there is uneven wear on them. The squealing is another sign that they are dragging. I doubt they are worn out already but I'd bet they're pretty glazed over from being stuck. If all the pads on the rear seem to have the same amount of material left on them then you could probably just take the pads off and scuff them up to remove the glaze on them and then clean the rotors and reinstall once you figure out which caliper is causing it. I had a stuck caliper on my Bonne and ended up replacing the brakes hoses, caliper and pads to fix it. The pads got so hot that they cracked.

Gotcha. Thanks everyone for your help. I'll have to wait until it's warm enough to get outside under it, though.