Went to change the worn out brake pads on the wife's car today, and was amazed to find the guide pins in both front calipers are frozen. Next surprise, Autozone doesn't sell the caliper brackets, only whole caliper assemblies. Got them both replaced, but other than making sure they move freely, and greasing as necessary, what kind of maintenance do those require? My old Saturn did call for routinely greasing the caliper pins, but I don't see such a requirement for a 2013 Equinox. Had the caliper brackets off last year when I replaced both front rotors, but apparently since then the salty slush got in and froze the pins. Boots looked fine, but should these require annual cleaning and greasing?
Caliper guide pins frozen
- Thread starter Dave Sherman
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Grease them every time you replace the pads 
Yep, greasing them is very important. If you buy ACdelco brake pads they give you a little packet of silicone grease most of the time now. I’ve seen some of the more expensive parts store brake pads now including silicone grease as well. Highly recommended for today’s braking hardware.
Yes, I recommend a brake service twice a year.
Even though it isn't really an issue here, I am going to start lubing them whenever I have a wheel off, which is usually once a year or so. The Mustang only has them on the rear since the fronts are a fixed caliper.
I'm surprised the Saturn even mentioned it... It's one of those unwritten, good ideas to do fairly routinely (once a year if you can) though especially in our area.
It's too late now but I wouldn't be so quick to replace the entire caliper(s) from a stuck slide pin. With enough grunting, you surely could have gotten the pins out, cleaned them up real well, as well as cleaning out the pin's bores. Lubricate them good (not too much though) and check 'em in a month or two to make sure they're still moving freely.
AutoMechanic
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Whether it’s recommended or not I always do it. I’ve had too many that I have had to pry out before. It’s especially good now that I have found a grease that won’t dry out over time and that’s Sil-Glyde.
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Not sure how soon you need the parts or how you feel about eBay, but there are front caliper guide pins for 2013 Equinox: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...013+Equinox+front+caliper+guide+pins&_sacat=0
Also, in reference to your pins becoming frozen, I would use a good grade of marine wheel bearing grease. I have none to recommend; just pick a favorite. It's your life and your money, if I were in your shoes, I would do all that is mentioned; lube them twice a year and have a spare set of caliper pins on hand, now that this is a known issue to you.
Also, in reference to your pins becoming frozen, I would use a good grade of marine wheel bearing grease. I have none to recommend; just pick a favorite. It's your life and your money, if I were in your shoes, I would do all that is mentioned; lube them twice a year and have a spare set of caliper pins on hand, now that this is a known issue to you.
Thanks all, I tried persuading the pins out, but some soaking in PB Blaster followed by some tapping with a hammer and trying to turn them with a wrench wasn’t doing it. Wife needed the car tomorrow, and new caliper assemblies were $70 each. Ended up being a good time to do a brake fluid flush too. Guess I’ll just plan on greasing them annually, which means my car is probably in need as well.
I do every two years. Its a great time to do the pins and a full or partial bleed. Super easy.
That is my preference for guide pins and several other applications.
Take a careful look at the boots. Some grease may have been used that swells the boots and they do not seal very well after they have swelled.
Also the hole the pins goes into, are you cleaning it with brake cleaner and Q-tips to get it really clean?
Also the hole the pins goes into, are you cleaning it with brake cleaner and Q-tips to get it really clean?
On my xB I had, I had a completely seized sliding pin in the rear. I literally could not get the pin out for the life of me... Heat, soaking it in PB blaster, etc... I eventually took an impact to it which broke it lose, eventually, and came out.
I picked up some new pins for all 4 corners, cleaned up the bore on the issue caliper and heavily coated the new pins with Sil-Glyde. I figured if they get stuck or don't move easily I will replace the caliper... But to my surprise, no issue after that. Moved freely and never had an issue after that.
But as others have mentioned, always good to grease those pins routinely every year or two. Cheap and easy enough.
I picked up some new pins for all 4 corners, cleaned up the bore on the issue caliper and heavily coated the new pins with Sil-Glyde. I figured if they get stuck or don't move easily I will replace the caliper... But to my surprise, no issue after that. Moved freely and never had an issue after that.
But as others have mentioned, always good to grease those pins routinely every year or two. Cheap and easy enough.
Normally this is done whenever the pads are replaced.. However, if you don't drive the car much, and it's going to be like 10 years on those pads, yeah take them apart and grease them as PM sometime.
I got mine out just the other week. Every two years I do a fluid flush then pop the pins out one at a time after inspecting the pads and rotors for wear. If the pads and rotor check out? I dab on a little Permatex high temp caliper grease after flushing the pins and the bores with brake clean and a MIG welder nozzle cleaning brush. It takes me more time getting the wheel on and off than anything else. ^.^ (They weigh a back breaking 100lbs. ea.)
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I lubricate my guide pins every 10,000 miles. Usually every second tire rotation. Never had problems with stuck pins.
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I just bought some of this stuff, based off recommendations from people here!
And I really should clean and grease my caliper slides...I don’t think I ever have unless I was doing a brake job.
I think it depends upon whether they dump salt on your roads like they do in the Northeast. Salt and brine.
When you say caliper "slides" do you mean the caliper pins or the areas where the pad ears move in?
JTK
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Dave, if you didn't pull the pins to clean and re-lube them last year w/ the pad/rotor change, when do you figure those pins were last looked at?
Reason I ask is, I've had vehicles as new as 2yrs old be on the verge of having stuck pins thanks to lovely rust belt life. Depending on miles and usage, I don't let them go more than 2yrs or so.
Reason I ask is, I've had vehicles as new as 2yrs old be on the verge of having stuck pins thanks to lovely rust belt life. Depending on miles and usage, I don't let them go more than 2yrs or so.
Really depends on the climate it seems. Then again, if the slide pin rubber boot is intact, it really shouldn't be necessary but can't hurt to check. Removing the pads and cleaning the pad ears and contact areas on the caliper bracket is probably more advised (again, depending on climate/environment).
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