Home > categories > Automotive & Motorcycle > Brake Systems > I just installed new disc brakes but the brakes are locking to the rotor, WHY?
Question:

I just installed new disc brakes but the brakes are locking to the rotor, WHY?

I bled the break lines to get the air out, but now the brakes are locked like I have my brake pedal to the floor. I can‘t even move the jeep. ??? Did I not bleed the lines correctly or enough?

Answer:

You don't say what year your jeep is. Calipers locking up is pretty common on the older ones, happened a couple of times to my '90 wrangler. On the newer ones, you have to get some special lubricant and lube the pads where they ride in the calipers, otherwise they might jam in the tracks that they slide in and lock up, Had that happen on my 2007 wrangler. When you talk about pedal going to the floor I read that to mean that your brakes are acting as if you're stomping the pedal to the floor, not that it's traveling to the floor. Is that right?
Rob lets do this one step at a time, you did do something wrong other than not knowing you cant get air in your brake system unless it has been opened up as in calipers overhauled, brake lines removed and so on, did you machine the rotors? if not then you just pad slapped the brake job, not good if you did pad slap the job, are you sure you have the right pads, as in did you match them up to your old ones exactly. And did you bleed the brakes properly? starting by bleeding the brakes by starting on the rear brakes farthest from the master cylinder, then the next rear brake then the opposite side of the master at the front then next brake caliper, And when you did bleed the brakes did you bleed them down so far did you by chance empty the master cylinder, and if you did, did you remove the master cylinder and bench bleed the master? Because it sounds like you still have air in the system that you some how got in it (reason for pedal going to floor) and you have either installed the pads wrong or the wrong pads, that is why it is locking up

Share to: