Put the car on jackstands. Remove the front tire that locks. Remove the brake caliper. Put the wheel back on, but do not remove from stands. See how freely it spins.
If it does not want to spin, the problem is in the wheel barrings, or spindle. Even on a 88 you still have a spindle that the strut bolts to.
If it does spin freely, replace the brake rotor, compress the piston in the caliper, and put new pads in.
Charles
Well.. Got the 'bird running again.. took it around the block and out on the hiway for a while to see if it still ran decent... it did.. brought it back and 15 feet from the garage the pass front wheel locked up... think the brake.... took off the wheel and sprayed wd-40 on it and put it in drive and got it in the garage... figured everything was fine.. it was sitting in the garage for like 4 months... anyway.. tested it today.. drove around the block and out on the hiway... fine.. brought it back...got 5 feet from garage and same wheel locked up.. what can I do?
Well, catch ya later,
-Geno
1985 Blue Camaro 2.8L w/ T-tops 1988 Blue Firebird Formula 5.0L w/ T-tops (Up for sale on Autotrader.com) Still looking for an '82 T/A 5.0L w/ T-tops
Something about that damn garage your car doesn't like?!?!?! j/k couldn't resist good luck!
Well, I went out to see what I could do.. and it was free again... But I took off the wheel and looked..a nd the brake pads were still scraping the caliper a little.. but also noticed there was like nothing left of the pads. So I have a feeling its really rusty in there and they need replacing.. but thanks!
Well, catch ya later,
-Geno
1985 Blue Camaro 2.8L w/ T-tops 1988 Blue Firebird Formula 5.0L w/ T-tops (Up for sale on Autotrader.com) Still looking for an '82 T/A 5.0L w/ T-topsGeno spilled my beer when they jumped on the table and proclaimed in
Sorry about the blank message.
Geno spilled my beer when they jumped on the table and proclaimed in
If the pads on this side are worn a lot more than the other side, you either have a bad caliper, or flex hose.
NOI
Are there gouges in the rotor from the rivits in the brake pads? That can cause the wheel to lock up when you hit the brakes.
9 times out of 10 these type problems are bad flex hoses going to the caliper. They rot from the inside out and act as check valves.
Dump 'em both for new ones, rebleed and you'll likely be good to go. Any parts store stocks these, common as dog shit.
Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...
Or maybe it was made with TransAmmy parts.
Just nonsensical reference to a nonsensical post Kitt.
I'm all for the idea of tossing the lines. Have you looked at the diaphragm yet? (although, that'd affect more than just one corner of your car.) We know you are on a college budget otherwise I'd say toss the rotors, caliper, lines, etc. and give it a complete overhaul. However, it could be as "simple" as what Charles suggested - repacking the bearings. (spindle would be a bigger p.i.t.a. than bearings or brake lines/calipers/etc. IMHO.)
Martin '01 Formula - MTI Air Box Lid, K&N Filter, Hurst-6, SLP Cold Air Induction & Smooth Intake Bellow Corsa Catback w/Premium Tips '83 V45 Magna
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