how to check if caliper stuck?
 

How would I check if a front caliper is sticking? Can't really spin the wheel with it being attached to the axle and all.


Thanks!

Well, if you pull off the tire, and try to remove the caliper, if it doesn't want to come off, then you found your problem. It could be one of many other things, however. My suggestion is to stray away from the caliper sticking, it's probably something up witht he drivetrain.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure this problem is related to the popping I described earlier. My car seemed to take a crap on me all at once with these problems. Reason I'm asking about calipers is that I'm hearing squealing from my wheels and I didn't put on new brakes but 6 months ago. I pulled off all of those squeal tabs b/c they are annoying me, but the wheels still make the squealing noise...not quite as bad, but still makes it. I pulled them off one at a time, driving in-between, to try and ID which wheel is hanging up...but I got off the last one, and like a pig being branded....still squealing!!

I also just replaced my plug wires b/c my car was hesitating horribly under slight to moderate acceleration. It seemed to take care of about 85% of the spuddering issues..but a bit is still there. I'm thinking maybe plugs(just replaced <6 mos ago) or coils. Possibly fuel related too...maybe I'll put some techron in there and see what happens.

It could be the brand of pads that you're using. I have found that AC-Delco DuraStop (not Ceramic) and Wagner ThermoQuiet brakes do not squeal.

hmm..that's a good point. Would it do this when I'm not touching the brake pedal? It seems like it's coming from multiple wheels. Kinda a ...chirp chirp chirp noise.

thanks

Quite possibly, because the pads are lightly touching the rotors at all times. If the rotors are slightly out of round(warped) that could be the reason for the chirp...chirp...chirp. I bet the noise goes away when you apply the brakes. I don't think your problem(noise) is necessarily a bad thing, just annoying. But the next time you get around to replacing the front pads, you might want to replace the rotors as well with something decent(ie Not Made in China).