Brake Seizing

[Tyzap]

2017 Ford Transit Connect cargo.

30,000 miles.

 

Two weeks ago, the front left caliper seized when stopping for traffic on  the highway.  The traffic was stop and go, but not anything heavy, and not anything i have not driven in before. I pulled off the highway, and the caliper retracted when the brake cooled. Note: there was smoke coming from the pads, and the acrid smell of burning brake pads.  It took about 3 hours to cool down.

 

I replaced the caliper and flexible hose to that wheel. Also replaced both driver and passenger side brake pads, and flushed the system brake fluid.

 

The new caliper and pad squeaks, so i tried a few heavy stops on back roads, and the squeaking stopped.  When i pulled into my garage about 15 miles later  i could smell burning pads, and the driver side steelie boiled water that i flicked on it. The passenger side was not hot — i could place my hand on it..

 

I took the van to the dealer, but they couldn’t duplicate the issue. When i drove home from the dealer and parked in the garage, the drivers side steelie seemed hotter.  Traffic home was light, and i didnt’ do any heavy braking.

 

Also note that I am a very easy on the brakes during normal driving.

 

What could cause this issue?

 

—ty

 

 

 

Edited July 28, 2021 by Tyzap

[Willygee]

2107?

[Willygee]

Brake sticking unusual for these 2nd gen TC's..I would drive it hard and duplicate the problem near your Ford dealer..and say see i told you so. Are you still under warr?

[G B L]

you live in the north east what does the disk look like? Picture of the disk would be helpful.

Edited July 31, 2021 by G B L

[Tyzap]

willygee: concur on driving hard and pulling into dealership,, but would like to do some additional troubleshooting before i do that. The dealership i took the van to didn’t seem to interested in my business. Van is not under warranty.  It has been three years since i bought it.

 

GBL:

I live in DC.  The van has not seen any major snow, slush, etc. It is not a daily driver, i metro to work, and the van is mostly garaged. I can’t remember ever driving it in snow. I drive it weekends, and a few times during the week. It may go 3 days without a drive, max.

 

Pics of disk attached. Note, there is no pulsing when i apply brakes. There was no pulsing  before the seize, or after i replaced the caliper, pads, and hose. The pics are before the caliper replacement.  Replacement caliper was sourced from NAPA.

 

Also note that when i now apply the brakes at a stop, then release and press the gas, there is a creak from the brakes. I am assuming this is because the pads have not fully released from the disk. 

 

There is that white material on the edge of the disk….

 

 

Edited July 31, 2021 by Tyzap

[Willygee]

Are you able to mic the disc and compare it to the R fr?

[Don Ridley]

You have replaced all of the suspect mechanical components. You may have a problem components related to ABS, traction control or hill assist. You need to a scan tool (Forscan or other professional scan tool) to check for codes to see if the ABS or other systems are being activated. A message should appear in the center message center if these functions are activated. But there are valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) that control the flow of brake fluid to each wheel and maybe one of them are faulty or getting a bad signal from the ABS control unit.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Don Ridley

[G B L]

Don is correct about the scan tool.

 

On 7/31/2021 at 8:38 PM, Don Ridley said:

You need to a scan tool 

When you drive it does the left disk end up hotter every time ?

If it does then you need to take a ride and get the brakes hot and get home and lift the wheel while it is hot to feel if there is drag. if so crack the brake line to see if you get a spurt of fluid and a release of the drag.  Because you replaced the hose it would be very rare to get a bad hose, it would point to the ABS unit.  If you slack the line to hose connection first you would test the hose also.

The plot thickens, keep us posted.

Edited August 6, 2021 by G B L

[Willygee]

If ABS related you may be able to disable the ABS via fuse and or relays for troubleshooting purposes.

[Tyzap]

Issue is finally fixed.

I replaced the used OEM rotors, pads, left side (aftermarket) caliper and (aftermarket)hose, and determined it was either the aftermarket caliper or the aftermarket hose.  

 

All parts are now OEM, and the issue is resolved.

 

I will note the aftermarket hose was shorter than the OEM, and was slightly bent at the connection to the caliper most likely due to turning to the left. The OEM hose install was so much easier than the aftermarket.  I installed both the OEM caliper and OEM hose at the same time. I just wanted the van fixed, and didn’t want to bled the systems twice.

 

This update is a bit late, but i don’t drive the van all that much, and before posting i wanted to make sure the van was fixed.

 

Thanks everyone.

[G B L]

Very good thanks for the up date.