Ok i need some diagnostic help.

I think one or possibly both my brake calipers are sticking. I know for sure the passenger side pads are rubbing the rotor because with that windo down i can hear the scraping very loudly. As soon as i press the breaks slightly the scraping noise goes away so I am pretty sure it is just the breakes making the noise and nothing else.


What do I need to look for on the pads, rotors and/or calipers to make sure it is the calliper sticking or freezing up? I have rebuilt the front calipers on my roommates old concorde so I am sure i can do it on the bonne if I need to.

I can't afford new callipers but can't i use the calipers from a new bonne rebuild them and put them on my 89 LE?

Any assistance would be greatly apreciated.

I have never done a caliper rebuild before but I did look up the proccess in my maintaince manual. It actually seems fairly easy. There are only two catches. 1) You need compressed air (or possibly another method ) to force the old piston out. 2) You will need a seal driver to place the new piston with the seal back into the opening all the way.

I'm sure someone out here has done it before and can give you more insight into it but to me it looks like a faily easy task if you have the tools.

I have already rebuilt a caliper on my roommates car so I know I can do the rebuild on the calipers. I just need to know what I should look for to see if the calipers are sticking/ freezing up.

Like wear paterns on the rotors or pads.

I also need to know if the calipers from a newer bonne or Grand Prix will fit on my 89 so I can find a used caliper at the junkyard with few miles.

Caliper to pad contact, if it'* not aligned, will be obvious on the back of the pad. You'll see a semicircle. Sometimes the trailing edge of the pad will be thinner than the leading edge, too.

I'm sure you checked to ensure that when you're applying brakes that it doesn't pulsate the car.. that would say it'* a warped rotor...

Just sounds like old, glazed pads to me. The shiny, hard surface of worn pads will squeak as the rotor just kisses them. Once you step on the brakes the pads are brought into full contact with the rotors and the noise stops.

Just for grins and giggles, take off the front pads. If they are thin enough to replace, get new ones. If not, rub them on your driveway or some 40-grit sandpaper (no, I'm not kidding) enough to knock off the shiny surface and bring up some new pad material. Don't use a pwer sander or grinder because you don't want to breathe this crap.

Put the pads back on and see if the noise goes away.

VERY often, you don't need new calipers.

Thanks Wesbo I never knew that.

The rotors must be slightly warped because there is a slight vibration when I get on the breaks hard. We are talking the last 1/3 or so of the pedals travel.

if they're warped you'll definitely feel the pulsating in the brake pedal once you step on it.
I had to get another rotor--bought aftermarket--cost was $20! Geez-around here to cut a rotor it'* $10--not much of a decision there.
Check into prices for a new rotor--can't hurt.
Also--if you do need to change a caliper-you should change your front rubber brake lines, after all if it'* all stock it is 13 yrs old-and they expand on the inside where you can't see it.

I wonder how much stainless steel lines would be for the bonne? hmhhh.

I'd think can't be more then $20-25 each.
i really need to change mine too--has some cracks-not good!