i am very embarrassed that it happened, but i need help. i replaced the rotors and after test driving around there was smoke coming from the pads or caliper (left rear and of course it was the last one that i replaced). when i inspected it no signs of trapped material or leakage. put it back together, test drove, and again smoke/burning occurred. when i checked again in my haste to finish the first time i had switched the pads (inside to outside, outside to inside) and now i can't get the caliper to compress. i had tested the brakes when i removed the caliper. probably a bad idea but i had to check for leakage, not extending something. i have a caliper spreader but the caliper has extended so much the spreader is not stong enough. do i need to bleed the caliper.
-Whats the cause of the smoking/burning?
-What can i do to compress the caliper back to get it back on?

Thanks, sorry so long. its been a horrible two days.

 

Get the AutoZone caliper tool, it works fine. 35 deposit and you get it all back when you return it.
But it sounds like your caliper is frozen, so you may need a new one.

 

did you wash off all that sticky protective stuff off of the new rotors? i had a new caliper and forgot to wash the same stuff off and it smoked as it burned off.

 

Wait, Caliper spreader?

The rear pistons screw in and you use a tool like the second one down on this page http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdbrak07.html#3163. If you've been pressing on them with a C-Clamp or pad spreader there's a good chance the caliper is shot.

I'd try to get the proper tool and screw the caliper in first to see if it's still good.

 

Are you sure you were seeing smoke and not brake dust? Cause I have seen brake dust so mist like. It looked like smoke. If it was smoke, Just clean off the oil they put on the rotors for protective anti-rusting. Clean it with brake-cleaner.

 

thanks, i just got the tool, btw, which way do i go to the left or the right. because if it isn't seized i don't want to turn it the wrong way and damage it.
and concerning the brake dust/oil, i'll wipe off the rotor but none of the other rotors smoked just that one rotor/caliper. thanks for the help, orgers are the best. i'll let you know how it turns out.

 

okay, i got it to compress a little but im about 1/4 of an inch "short" can i use the spreader for that last little bit. sorry i sound like i need to hold someones hand but when when im this close and im about to drop a good chunk of change on new control arms/ball joints, alignment and tires, i don't need anymore expenses.

 

It's not going to do any good to press against the threads using the spreader, either it turns in or it doesn't, if it doesn't then time for a new caliper.

 

Open your brake flulid retainer cap. That could be the reason your having a hard time pushing the caliper back. The pressure has to go somewhere.

 

i had this same problem... let me tell you my story.

along while ago i had needed new rotors and pads, so i changed them. easy. then a while ago (i would say give or take 2 months ago) the wear indicator started. i checked the pads and they looked fine, they had some life but the indicator shouldnt have been happening.

so now i tried to replace the pads because i dont know whats wrong and i want the noise gone.

replaced them but then go for the test and smoke all over. why? well the caliper pins on the bottom were rusted and seized.

i had to go and buy new torque member (this is what holds the actuall caliper) and new pins and hardware.

some people seemed to get the pins unstuck but i couldnt even with a rather large sledge :P and i didnt want to fool around with brakes so i got the new hardware.

i hope this helps ya out, got my parts from advanced autoparts online store whatever its called (mabe partsamerica or something?).

it could be your caliper tho. dont rule that out. but i know for myself it even when i pushed the caliper piston back, it was hard to get back on and then the rotor didnt even move, so i knew it was one of the two... but the pins were stuck so i ruled out the caliper.

 

thanks for everyones help. my brother was able to get the caliper back on while i was at work. when he tested it no smoke, alittle smell but no rattle or grinding or especially smoke. when i got home i drove around, same results so im content for now. i'll probably replace the pads because it got "chewed" up. again thanks for the help and quick response. i'll update with any new info.