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04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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brkstr
New User
Jun 15, 2013, 5:22 PM
Post #1 of 10
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04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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All,
04 Chevy Malibu
3.0 liter
78,000 miles
I am wondering how to fix a problem that persists infrequently. I believe the left front brake is locking up or should I say too much pressure (Not sure). I have already changed brake shoes and rotors on all four wheels. The Left front wheel caliper had previously been changed out (shop done). But for whatever reason the brakes lock up on that wheel. Is there anyway for me to check this at home as I don't trust the shops around my area?
Thank you
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 15, 2013, 5:40 PM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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Is the locking to skid that wheel or just dragging bad? Not really the whole point but brake parts should really be done both sides if a failure is found.
This could be a flex hose not allowing pressure out of caliper. If you catch it really stuck and just release a spit of pressure at bleeded that about confirms the flex hose is at fault. If so do both sides and see if new pads have been burned up too much already too,
T
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brkstr
New User
Jun 15, 2013, 5:48 PM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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With your Criteria, probably dragging. It doesn't skid, just very slow to accelerate and quick slow down.
Not sure what to make from the release spit part you wrote. When I did bleed the left front, I do remember it spitting out not oozing (technical term?). Does that make sense?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 15, 2013, 6:06 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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What lead you to believe that the left front brake was the cause of the intermittent symptoms you are experiencing?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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brkstr
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Jun 15, 2013, 6:13 PM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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The car pulls to the left and when I got out of the car I checked both sides. the left smelled funny and was hotter than the right. I am assuming the right was normal wear.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 15, 2013, 6:29 PM
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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Tom has it right. If you can get it to happen again, you'd have to get that wheel off the ground, so you can manually spin the wheel by hand. Then loosen the bleeder screw to see if the brake releases. If it does release by loosening the bleed screw, you have a hydraulic problem keeping the brake caliper engaged. The left front and right rear brakes are on the same circuit from the master, so that rules out a master problem.
If you determine it is a hydraulic issue, that leaves the brake hose and the ABS modulator. You'd have to get the brake to lock again and then loosen the line at the modulator to see if the modulator or caliper hose is the cause.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jun 15, 2013, 6:40 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jun 15, 2013, 6:33 PM
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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What I meant was just letting pressure out of the caliper as this is consistant with hose not allowing pressure back to master cylinder as the likely reason IMO,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 15, 2013, 6:42 PM
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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You are probably right about the hose being the culprit, Tom. The liner inside the hose can separate and act like a check valve allowing the pressure to remain in the caliper when the brake pedal is released. Confirmation of that could be done using the technique above.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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brkstr
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Jun 15, 2013, 6:43 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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As this seems to be a intermittent issue. Does it just make sense to replace the hose and replace the brake fluid then?
To me (tell me if I'm wrong please), if the pressure releases then there's likely either the hose compressing that eventually releases or bad fluid? I have a feeling the I may be 50% of that rationale right.
Thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jun 16, 2013, 5:18 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: 04 Chevy Malibu Brakes lock up
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Again - and sorry as my cable server is messing me up right now too with messages! Those flex hoses could be intermittent and pick on just one side likely not both at once but replace both and bleed system. Brake fluid alone short of contamination with oils that destroy rubber brake parts is not what I would expect with this problem.
You have to guess at intermittent OR if you catch brake dragging, hoist both drive wheels, car in neutral and feel the stuck one or you know by temp of the wheel which - then just release some )don't let air back in) fluid out bleeder so if it was hydro-locked by flex hose it would release brake! Voila - that would be about as sure as you get that the hose is playing as a check valve.
DS described that as inside it fails to return the pressure back out. Can the caliper pins, slides or something else do that - yes but not as likely IMO.
More: If you catch it with no dragging when you can test out as discussed then plain look at the brake, rotor will probably look like it's been wildly too hot vs the other side - conclusive enough to toss both flex hoses which is not a waste as most get neglected and have to fail to get anyone's attention,
Tom
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