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Wiisass
05-11-2003, 01:39 AM
So I'm finally back from school, my car has been at home for the past 2 months and I haven't driven her since then, all I want to do at this point is drive. I get in the car start going and all i can hear is this annoying almost metal on metal rubbing sound coming from the rear brakes on both sides. So i'm mad / frustrated, but it's dark, so I figure i'll just take care of it in the morning.

This morning i get out there, wheels are off and I see that the pads are constantly in contact with the rotor, which i assumed from the sound. This is probably a result of the car sitting there for a while with the parking brake on, I know i should've done it differently, but my dad promised to drive the car at least once a week while I was at school so something like this wouldn't happen. Anyway, stuff looks normal for the most part except it seems like the piston isn't retracting enough to allow the pads to more away from the rotor. They rub all the time and when i brake there is a weird sound that i really dont know how to describe. But i can't find any leaks anywhere and there is still the same amount of brake fluid in the master cylinder as there always was. There's also a kinda pulsating feeling to the pedal under braking and the pedal feel is a lot spongier than it used to be.

This is all on stock non-abs brakes on a 91 240. Tomorrow, I'm probably going to regrease everything that the FSM says should be greased. And possibly bleed them, but I wouldn't think they would need to be bleeded because no air should've entered the system from the car just sitting there. But i guess anything can happen. If non of this works, i'll probably buy the caliper seal kit from courtesy and do it that way. So any suggestions, ideas, past experiences that are exactly the same as this along with your complete solution to the problem, all that kind of stuff would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

AceInHole
05-11-2003, 09:01 AM
Rear calipers may be seized. I'd take them off and see how easily compressed (rotated, as you rotate the rear caliper pistons to compress them) they are.

freakinheat
05-11-2003, 07:26 PM
The piston in the middle retracts back by turning it in. There 4 notches on it. This tool from sears has the male portion that allows it to fit into the notches. Then you just screw it back. If it doesn't go back in, they may be rusted open. This will require you to purchase new ones.

xrockoutx
05-12-2003, 01:48 AM
This tool at sears...does it have a name by chance? Know the price off the top of your head? I'm definitely in need of one of these.

adey
05-12-2003, 01:57 AM
just look for "brake piston compressor" or "brake caliper compressor" or something to that extent. They're easy to find, usually either a little square or a cylinder with 2 or 4 tabs on it which lock into those little "teeth" things. They're also available at pep boys/kragen/autozone.