Brake wiggle

Dirtautoguy · January 22, 2013

Today I was driving down the road and a clacking sound started coming from the front passenger side of my truck so when I got home I jacked it but and spun the tire in a certain spot everytime the clack would happen and there would be resistance on the tire. So I pulled the tire and it was my brake caliper that had come/ was loose and everytime it hit that spot the caliper would move and make the sound. So I pulled the caliper and saw nothing wrong so I put it back on tight and its a lot tighter however the caliper still wiggles a little is it supposed to? Also there was no shims or spacers on it is there supposed to? I also checked the driver side and its tight but wiggles a little too. I plan on replacing them both anyway because the seals are starting to not seal any more. How are junkyards for these parts?

Ps. The brake rotors don't look bad there is a ver small lip on the outside of the passenger side but I'm not sure if they need turned how can you tell?

waumo1 · January 23, 2013

I can't tell by your description what you mean by wiggles but as for replacing the calipers, forget the junk yard and get some quality remanufactured ones. Ones from the junk yard are not likely to be anything but more trouble.

On a vehicle of that age, I would replace the flexible lines to the calipers also while I had it apart.

The brakes on my 98 K1500 were pathetic from day 1. I installed drilled and slotted rotors, new calipers, hoses and high performance brake pads eventually and it improved the braking tremendously.

Dirtautoguy · January 23, 2013

By wiggle I mean if I grab it and move it to the passenger/driver side direction it moves a little not near as bad as when it was loose though and both sides do it so maybe that's how it's supposed to be. As for the brake lines I think someone may have replaced them befor I got it they look pretty new but I could be wrong

waumo1 · January 23, 2013

Yes if the caliper has piston(s) on only one side (and I think so), the caliper slides on the pins to center. The pins need to be clean, rust free and slightly lubed. If the caliper slides on the pins, you are fine. The pads should have anti rattle clips on the back, at least my 98 and others did.

REVYCHEVY55 · January 23, 2013

Could be a warped rotor. No junk yard for that and it's worth the money to buy high quality rotors or you'll end up with same problem. Especially if you pull or haul heavy loads.

tanked_darren · January 23, 2013

Brake parts should NEVER be bought from a junk yard new parts are cheap enough!

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Dirtautoguy · January 26, 2013

Ok I decided to just go ahead and get some from napa ill probably do them Monday or Tuesday how can I tell if my rotors are warped? And is it worth turning them?

tanked_darren · January 26, 2013

Ok I decided to just go ahead and get some from napa ill probably do them Monday or Tuesday how can I tell if my rotors are warped? And is it worth turning them?

Don't turn them I tried that they just warp again.

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REVYCHEVY55 · January 28, 2013

Your answer is in your first post. If the rotor moves your caliper it usually means its warped. Good answer on they will warp again. Turned rotor makes it thinner. Thinner makes it weaker. ( the rotor ). It will usually warp in the same weakest point quickly

Dirtautoguy · January 28, 2013

Ok would I be ok to replace the calipers now and maybe the rotors in a week or two? The brakes work fine other then the calipers that leak and the caliper doesn't move much now

txab · January 28, 2013

Replace all now. It's the smart thing to do and the least amount of work

Dirtautoguy · January 29, 2013

Ok I did them today but I couldn't afford new rotors but the brakes don't leak any more. The only problem I have now is the brakes seem soft but the other problem is the roads are all ice so I can't really test them or I just slide but all 4 tires lock up and the abs works.

waumo1 · January 29, 2013

You may need to bleed the brakes again but if by "soft" you mean the pedal goes down farther than you think it should and is then a little mushy but the brakes work OK, that is the way my 1998 K1500 brakes were from day one and nothing did solved that.

Dirtautoguy · January 29, 2013

Yeah that's pretty much how they are, my moms old 96 jeep Cherokees brakes were hard as a rock I liked them but I have always heard that these trucks didn't have that great of brakes. But I'll probably bleed all four tomorrow if I get the chance and see if it helps things.

Dirtautoguy · January 29, 2013

After bleeding them today they are alot better there was air in the front and rear driver side lines. When the truck is in park the pedal feels really soft but when in gear they are a lot harder sometimes they kinda feel soft but if I let off and push hem again they are hard. Also it seems like if I press them slowly they are softer but work and if I press them fast they are harder,and last they still don't grab like that jeep but then again they never have