Changing calipers. A few questions...

[VK56VD]

It seems my rear driver side caliper is sticking (1999 Nissan Maxima). There is way too much dust on the rear driver wheel and there is some noise coming from it while driving. I lifted up the rear yesterday and tried spinning the wheel with the hand brake off. The wheel does not spin very freely and requires effort to spin when compared with other wheels. After a drive the wheel is also much hotter than the other wheels.

Is it possible that it's not the caliper but the hand brake is sticking on this side instead?

If it is indeed the caliper, should I get new rotors and pads for both sides?

Do the brakes need to be bleed on all 4 corners after this job?

 

[UNC038]

Does the Maxima utilize a separate parking brake mechanism? If so it's possible it's not the caliper. Once you disassemble it should be clear.

Yes, if it the caliper replace rotors and pads on both sides.

Yes, all 4 corners should be bleed, at the very least to get new fluid to prevent a future problem.

 

[JTK]

Spartuss, if you didn't open a bleeder or line, I don't see the value in bleeding. You might just have a pad that's hung and not floating. Could also be the pesky Nissan P-brake? Did you remove, clean and re-lube the caliper pins? Do the pin boots seal properly?

Joel

 

[PT1]

I would first disassemble the wheel that is suspect. Pull off the rotor and see if the parking brake is hung up. Back off the adjuster on that brake and lube the contact points on those pads. Then clean the caliper brake pads & relube all the pins & pads. While you have it off open the bleeder and see if the caliper piston will retract with a c-clamp easily. Then re-assemble and bleed out that wheel and see if it runs cooler. When you disassemble look for leakage around the piston seal. Then assess what you need. Also look for uneven wear on the brake pads.

 

[VK56VD]

So, here is my question: If the parking brake was stuck on one side, would I see soo much brake dust on the rear wheel?

 

[mechtech2]

Rear disc brakes are often problematic. Maybe because they are used so lightly that they often stick.
Brake dust is from the pads - where else?
Usually the caliper pins are corroded and stuck. Clean, dress, and lube them. This is probably all that is wrong.
Parking brake mechanisms are different for any car, but also need to be checked out.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Spartuss
So, here is my question: If the parking brake was stuck on one side, would I see soo much brake dust on the rear wheel?


I wouldn't pay any attention to the amount of dust to draw any conclusion. It's so easy to open it up and find out if there is a leak or another issue. But I wouldn't clean the dust off until after I opened it to be sure there is no leaking fluid trail that I accidentally washed away. Will only take you 30 minutes to find the gremlin.

 

[The Critic]

Loosen the bleeder screw and attach a hose to it. See if that allows the wheel to spin freely.

If that solves your problem, then the problem is with the brake hose, not the caliper.