a fix for brake binding?

[brelandt]

My tacoma uses the typical Toyota front calipers. 4 pistons with a fixed caliper. The issue I am having is that once in awhile the pads seem to be binding. the brake feels as if the truck takes longer to stop and the pedal is hard.
I posted about this a couple of years ago before I started working as a mechanic. my co workers tell me that this is common for my truck.
What would be something I could do to "fix" this?
Thoughts are to lube the guide pins often or even open up the holes in the pads a bit more.

 

[HerrStig]

Do the guide pins first. Bendix makes a good product, mentioned elsewhere on this site. Binding can also result from a collapsing brake flex line. I don't think you have much corrosion problem potential out there in CA. Do a careful hand temp test on the calipers when they seem to "bind". It may just be a brake booster problem, (loss of boost) if you feel no unusual heat from any of the brakes when they seem to bind. A hanging up caliper will be hotter than the others. There is usually enough pressure from the booster to overcome resistance to APPLYING the brakes, it is in the release, when the pads have to move slightly "back" that hanging up pins, pistons, or pads themselves usually show up, and usually on only ONE caliper at a time. Often it's the rear pads, especially on a truck with a lot of front brake bias. To avoid lockup, the rear pads don't see the same level of line pressure the fronts do.

 

[mechtech2]

Make sure you CLEAN the surfaces of the pins and bores, then liberally apply Syl-Glide.
If the pins are corroded, consider new ones [pretty cheap].
Brakes gotta be right!

 

[vssjim]

had alot of trouble with toyota four piston calipers having one of the pistons locking up. replaced alot of those calipers over the years seems to always be a lower piston. Even with clean brake fluid in car it still seems to lock one up.

 

[mechtech2]

Yes, it could be the caliper pistons as well.
I'd check the feel of them as they are pushed in.

 

[mattd]

common for caliper failures on those trucks. Make sure slide pins are CLEAN and lubed. However, it sounds like you have an intermittent caliper piston(s) hanging up or brake hose issue.