Brake problems Hi, My 99 sebring convertable has grabbing in the front passenger side tire. I have put on new pads and rotors and replaced the caliper on that side. also the abs light is on. Do you have any idea what is wrong.Thanks Roxanna

1. Raise vehicle
2. Support on jack stand
3. Remove lug nuts
4. Remove wheel
5. Remove bolts holding caliper
6. Remove calipers
7. Remove brake pads
8. Push piston into caliper
9. Inspection rotor for damage if damaged replace
10. Install new pads
11a. Replace caliper on rotor
11 b. Replace bolts in caliper and tighten
12. Bleed brakes
13. Replace wheel
14. Replace lug nuts
15. Lower vehicle
16. Tighten lug nuts
17. Test drive vehicle

It sounds like the brake pads are metal to metal, when you turn the flexing of the wheel makes them touch the rotor and grind. This can rarely be caused by a badly worn wheel bearing as well, have both brakes and wheel bearing inspected.

Its possible that the driver side is not clamping well. Sticky caliper piston. Forcing the passenger side to do most of the work. This will result in rapid overheating which will cause the passenger rotor to look bad after a short drive. Does driver side still look new? Do you feel any sideways pulling when braking? What prompted you to look again after changing rotors and pads? Since you first noticed noise on passenger side, indicating excessive wear, I think the problem is the drivers side caliper. You could try working caliper piston out and in a few tmes, but usually you want to replace a problem caliper.

Buy brake pads.
loosen lugs
Jack car, place on jack stand
turn wheel so front of tire is pointing out.
remove tire
remove caliper (two bolts on back side of caliper
slide caliper off rotor.
(if rotor is damaged, see about having it turned or replaced)
take pads off caliper
open hood and remove cap to mater cylinder reservoir
using special tool (or C-clamp and something to protect piston) push the piston back into the caliper fully.
place new brake pads on caliper.
fit caliper on the rotor
Secure caliper to wheel with bolts
replace wheel
remove jack stand
remove jack
tighten lugs on wheel
replace hubcap
start engine (do not drive yet!!!!!)
pump brake pedal until it tightens up
observe reservoir on master cylinder (fill if needed)
replace cap
pump brakes again
take out for a test drive.

good luck and don't forget to vote!!!

YOU NEED REMOVE A LITTLE BRAKE FLUID FROM MASTER CYLINDER.THEN YOU RAISE VECHICLE SAFELY.SUPPORT IT WITH JACK STAND.MAKE SURE VECHICLE IS ON LEVEL SOLID GROUND.REMOVE TIRE OR WHEEL.THEN YOU NEED A LARGE C - CLAMP.PLACE C - CLAMP OVER BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE SHOE BACKING.TIGHTEN C - CLAMP JUST ENOUGH PUSH CALIPER PISTON BACK IN CYLINDER BORE TO REMOVE CALIPERS FROM ROTORS.TO REMOVE BRAKE CALIPER YOU NEED 2 OPEN AND BOX END WRENCHES ONE TO HOLD CALIPER SLIDE PINS AND THE OTHER WRENCH FOR LOOSEN CALIPER BOLTS.THEN YOU REMOVE CALIPER AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE SHOES.IF YOU NEED TO REMOVE BRAKE ROTORS JUST REMOVE THE BRAKE CALIPER CARRIER SUPPORT BOLTS THE REMOVE THE BRAKE CALIPER CARRIER SUPPORT THEN REMOVE ROTOR.YOU NEED TO REPLACE BOLTS WITH NEWS AND USE LOCK TIGHT.THEN YOU PUT IN NEW BRAKE PADS IN CALIPER PUT CALIPER BACK ON SUPPORT CARRIER.REPLACE WITH NEW BOLTS USE LOCK TIGHT THEN TORQUE BOLTS TO 26 FT LBS.MAKE SURE MASTER CYLINDER COVER IN PLACE.WHEN YOU FINISH REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS PUMP BRAKE PEDAL TO SEAT BRAKE SHOES AGAINST BRAKE ROTORS SO YOU WILL HAVE FIRM BRAKES WHEN YOU APPLY THEM. THEN CHECK YOUR BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN MASTER CYLINDER MAKE SURE ITS NOT LOW. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FIRM BRAKES BEFORE DRIVING.IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS CHANGING FRONT BRAKE PADS YOU CAN GO TO ANY AUTO PARTS STORE AND BUY A HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL.

There are a number of problems that can cause that. It could be a bad caliper which is either hanging up or not returning correctly. It could be a bad proportioning valve or ABS motor. It doesn't have to be the passenger caliper that is bad. If the driver side isn't moving then all the brake pressure will go into the passenger side. Check your pads for excessive wear also. Metal on metal contact will cause that or a heat cracked pad could be causing uneven pressure. Check your rotors for glazing as well. If the pads don't grab until high pressure is applied then the brake could lock up. Pads rotors and calipers should cost less than two hundred dollars and if you replace all of them then you shouldn't have to worry about them for another twenty thousand miles or so. Take out the ABS fuse and drive it first and see if it does the same thing. If it does, then it's not the ABS motor. To me, it sounds like a caliper hanging up. Good luck.

remove wheel .. the brake caliper is held on with two small metric bolts (about 2 inch long) that go thru rubber boots ... once the caliper is off then the rotor just pulls off if you need to turn or replace that ...use a caliper compression tool to retract the piston (or c clamp)... clean everythihg and replace pads with new ones .. install anti squeel shims and reassemble ..its good idea to have someone that is skilled to help you or at least have your work inspected ..dont skimp on pads .. i get the best name brand available even though that costs more .l there is a lot of junk pads out there ... dont depend on your jack .. always use jack stands and wheel stops for safety ..... new brake pads are available at all auto parts stores (you need to know your make, model and year ).. dealers will usually charge much more ...

or you could just take it to a brake repair shop .. check arround for the best reputation not lowest price ...

Whenever you have new brake pads put on it is best to have the rotors cut. Otherwise they can shudder or grab or any number of things. If the vehicle is pulling to one side or another it could be a frozen caliper. Calipers should always be replaced in pairs. As with all brake work, anything done to one side absolutely needs to be done to the other. Always purchase medium grade brake pads and shoes. Premium pads and shoes are almost always too agressive for any rotor to withstand and will generate excessive heat and premature wear. If your brakes seem like they arent releasing it is most likely the calipers.

Hope you are talking about the front brakes,First check to see if the brakes are releasing the brake rotor.If they are not,it is posible the slide on the caliper need cleaning and lubed.Also could be the brake hoses colasping,and not allowing the piston in the brake calipers to release.Did you have the rotors turned?It could have something to do with it.Also what it probley is,that when you pushed the piston back in the caliper,you didn`t remove the master cylinder top off.Bleed the right front caliper,then the left front caliper,and then the master cylinder.This should clear it up.

Hi elfiallison,
By brakelight I am going to assume you mean the warning indicator on the dash. Not sure if you are planning to do the work yourself or if you are just looking to find out the probable cause. Here are some things to look at to narrow down the exact problem but you are definitely going to need at least a front wheel brake job. I would suggest that you replace the pads, calipers and rotors when doing this since the problem has gone this far.

You most likely have a leaking front caliper that is causing these problems.
Is the brake fluid low in the master cylinder?

Remove the front tires and do a visual inspectioninspection of the braking components.
1) Check for any visable leaks, a leaking caliper will cause the brakes to grab and lock up.

2) Spin the rotors, they should spin freely without grabbing, there will be a slight drag from the brakes. Both sides should be equal. Grabbing rotors can indicate a warped rotor which can also cause the brakes to lock up.

3) Is there plenty of bake pad remaining? You need to have a minimum of 1/4" pad remaining though more is prefered. Low pads can allow the piston to come out of the caliper farther than designed and not allow the piston to retract properly.

If you would like assistance on how to do these repairs just reply to this message and I will help you out.

Good Luck