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Brake Caliper sticking when below freezing?

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Old 12-07-2015 | 05:41 PM
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Brake Caliper sticking when below freezing?

I just bought 4 brand new calipers like a month ago, but when I go leave for work in the morning one of my rear (or both) calipers stick...

The first time it stuck so bad I couldn't drive it, it was the rear left so I figured if I disconnected the e-brake it shouldn't be a problem because I'd still have my right e-brake. For whatever reason the e-brake never even worked very good on that side anyway.

Then about 2 weeks later it was stuck again! Not as bad but I drove it anyway and it went away after a mile or 2.

I'm just not sure if it would be the brake lines or the calipers themselves. I couldn't tell what wheel was sticking that time but I'm thinking maybe I need new e-brake cables.

Any insight would be appreciated.
Old 12-07-2015 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by iTzCloud
I just bought 4 brand new calipers like a month ago, but when I go leave for work in the morning one of my rear (or both) calipers stick...

The first time it stuck so bad I couldn't drive it, it was the rear left so I figured if I disconnected the e-brake it shouldn't be a problem because I'd still have my right e-brake. For whatever reason the e-brake never even worked very good on that side anyway.

Then about 2 weeks later it was stuck again! Not as bad but I drove it anyway and it went away after a mile or 2.

I'm just not sure if it would be the brake lines or the calipers themselves. I couldn't tell what wheel was sticking that time but I'm thinking maybe I need new e-brake cables.

Any insight would be appreciated.
No advice but if you decide to replace the ebrake cables pm me and I'll give you a deal on some
Old 12-08-2015 | 09:43 PM
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Haha, alright. It won't be till it gets warm again but will do sir.
Old 12-09-2015 | 10:25 AM
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common issue, water and debris get into parking brake lines and give symptoms of stuck caliper.

i replaced a rear caliper in dec, and brand new caliper froze the next morning.

f'ing sucks when a regular shop can't look into reasons of a frozen caliper.


i stopped using e-brake and haven't had too many issues... kinda sucks I like using it to protect the automatic parking and resting on the tranny etc.
Old 12-09-2015 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Prophecy99
common issue, water and debris get into parking brake lines and give symptoms of stuck caliper.

i replaced a rear caliper in dec, and brand new caliper froze the next morning.

f'ing sucks when a regular shop can't look into reasons of a frozen caliper.


i stopped using e-brake and haven't had too many issues... kinda sucks I like using it to protect the automatic parking and resting on the tranny etc.
If the e-brake lines are dirty, can the OP just hose it off or soak it with brake cleaner to get the grime off?
Old 12-09-2015 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by mclasser
If the e-brake lines are dirty, can the OP just hose it off or soak it with brake cleaner to get the grime off?
Brake lines are from the cabin, snaked along the undercarriage, and then finally to the rear calipers.

An it's also a cable wire wrapped in fairly tough rubber sheathing.
Old 12-09-2015 | 08:43 PM
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Mine seize like every year. POS
Old 12-10-2015 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by mclasser
If the e-brake lines are dirty, can the OP just hose it off or soak it with brake cleaner to get the grime off?
there is a way to clean and maintence these lines instead of replacing,

i know you can lube/grease up the ends where the water and debris enter to stop it...but not exactly sure about cleaning whole line out ... i gotta talk with this experienced nissan tech who knew all about this rear caliper/e-brake integration and freezing crap.
Old 12-10-2015 | 01:39 PM
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Mine haven't frozen/seized in 130k miles and 11 + years ... :waits for lines to seize tomorrow:
Old 12-12-2015 | 06:42 AM
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Hmm ok. I know you can replace the cables running to each caliper, you guys this it would be those or the main one off the e-brake?

I know the cable I dc'd has a rip in it up by the caliper. Which is probably why it is freezing.
Old 12-12-2015 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Mine haven't frozen/seized in 130k miles and 11 + years ... :waits for lines to seize tomorrow:
If you use it, then the cables don't seize. Automatic cars never use them. I doubt many maximas with cold winters have working handbrakes Combined with the propensity for the rear caliper mechanism to freeze up, then it's really not going to work

I still remember my 1st maxi (auto, don't judge LOL). Handbrake hadn't been used in forever, if ever. Friend drove it and applied it. The next time I drove the car, I could tell something was wrong. Rear rim was fire hot. I oscillated the brake a lot and it unstuck.
Sister's maxi has seized cables (caliper parts were seized, replaced them and still no go). The I30 e-brake kinda works. IIRC, I had to replace rear calipers on my 5.7 swap.

Sticks don't seem to suffer from this if you use the handbrake instead of gears...or maybe you do both (I never put it into gear). 5 manual nissans and all the brakes work. Cables might be a tad stretched, but that's it (minus shot shoes on the Z32 lol).

Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 12-12-2015 at 09:48 AM.
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