Stuck front brakes on 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

Question

1992 Jeep Cherokee with 195000 miles. Driven very little this summer. Short drive yesterday... front brakes stuck, smelled, very hot rim on front left side. Brake fluid container was extremely full. Can someone help me understand what causes this problem? Can I remove the wheel and "unstick" them? Should I replace calipers? Rebuild kit? Is problem in calipers or in the unit attached to the firewall? Master cylinder?

Answer 1

More than likely the caliper couldn't 'float' due to rust. The caliper is made to slide back and forth to allow the brake pads to stay in continuous contact with the rotor. Also the caliper can, over time build up a film inside and the piston, as the brakes wear, can sieze and not release pressure. When a brake gets hot it will boil the fluid - but a full container is a good sign. If you can, first check if you can gently push the caliper piston back into the assembly. If it moves freely (it can be a bit stuborn and you need to keep the lid on the master cylinder or container when pushing the fluid back to it that way). There also had been a problem with some of the phenolic (a type of hard plastic) pistons in siezing caliper assemblies. You can replace the cylender and rebuild the caliper if needed.
But I believe your problem is due to not driving. Remove the caliper assembly and take a piece of sand paper to make sure all rust is removed from the assembly and its mount to allow the assembly to float back and forth.
When you put it all back together be sure to pump the pedal until you build it back up - then start it and pump again.

Answer 2

Take off the wheel and open the bleeder valve. The caliper should release.
Sometimes the flexible brake hose going to the caliper collapses internally and will not let the fluid return to the Master cylinder. To test that jack up the left front and spin the wheel. Have someone step on the brake and then let off. If the wheel does not immediately release the hose maybe bad.
You could have a corroded slide and the caliper may be stuck.

If you have to replace the calipers do both sides and use new hoses. Buy a loaded caliper with the pads installed.

Answer 3

It sounds like a caliper is hanging up.The first thing you could try is to jack up the front end,support it with jack stands.Now try to spin the tires around more than likely you will find one that does not want to turn.Before you get a new set of calipers try opening the bleeder screw on the caliper just to make sure you do not have a restriction in your flex line.If when you opened the bleeder fluid came out under a little pressure and the rotor turns then you need the flex line which is the black hose that attaches the caliper to the steel brake line.These lines should also be replaced in pairs.But If it still will not turn you need calipers and you should replace them in pairs.Depending on the condition of your brake rotors and pads you could be looking at some more parts.This should get you going in the right direction.

Answer 4

Grand Cherokee 1992

Answer 5

You say that the resivoir is filled?, that in itself can cause the brake to hang up. As the brake fluid gets warm, it expands, causing pressure in the brake system, therefore automatically applying the brakes. Before You start taking the brakes apart, take a clean rag and push it partway into the resivoir, soaking up some of the fluid, remove enough to bring it down to the full mark, then roadtest Your jeep. if that doesn't fix it, edit Your question, and I will help You from there. G/L

Answer 6

Sounds like the caliper seized... replace them and the pads and bleed the system. I would also suggest checking to make sure that the rotors didn't warp on that side and that the wheel bearing grease is still ok.

I had this happen on a Bronco once and it really cooked my wheel bearing grease before I could get it home.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

It's a bad flex line (rubber hose).

Answer 8

buy the whole replacement kit.............195k needs it