Brake pad change out

**proud1** · 03-23-2010, 07:19 PM

Changed my front brakes on my 02 Trans Am and for some reason I can not turn the rotor freely took them off twice to try something different and still nothing. Any suggestions on what it could be

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 07:24 PM

Are the caliper mounting pins moving freely?

**proud1** · 03-23-2010, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Hi-Po

Are the caliper mounting pins moving freely?

pins where are they located sorry for asking am new to this

**Hi-Po** · 03-23-2010, 07:33 PM

Figure three on this page.

http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...ds_mwarren.htm

**proud1** · 03-23-2010, 07:40 PM

I don't think so didn't check those but if i was to tighten them to much would that be maybe causing my problem

**Smittro** · 03-23-2010, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by proud1

pins where are they located sorry for asking am new to this

They look like this:

High temp grease is what I use when I change brakes and lube the pins.

**proud1** · 03-24-2010, 02:08 AM

if the screws there are to tight would the rotor turn

**0rion** · 03-24-2010, 04:48 AM

did you push the piston all the way back in the caliper when you put the new pads on? Could be totally normal.

**KMdef9** · 03-24-2010, 05:24 AM

Front end brakes? Rear end brakes? Do you have a manual tranmission or automatic transmission?

If you have a manual, make sure your in neutral and the parking brake is all of the way down.

If its a automatic, start it up, and put the car in neutral and shut it off in neutral. Also making sure the parking brake is all of the way down.

Not sure if this can cause a problem, but given common sense it's possible: How full is your brake fluid reservoir? Whatever meathod you used to depress the pistons has pushed more fluid back into it, and if you were previously at the max level, your def. too full and could be keeping the piston protruding, pushing your brake pads down onto the rotor just hard enough to make it difficult to hand turn the rotors.

(blame the coffee for that one)

**KMdef9** · 03-24-2010, 05:36 AM

Are you trying to spin the rotor with your hands? Try puting the tires back on, more leverage.

**0rion** · 03-24-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by KMdef9

Are you trying to spin the rotor with your hands? Try puting the tires back on, more leverage.

I agree..... I think what he's dealing with is normal.

**KMdef9** · 03-24-2010, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

I agree..... I think what he's dealing with is normal.

Especially if it's the rear.

**proud1** · 03-24-2010, 05:37 PM

sorry about the missing info but its the front brakes has a auto trans and yes i have put the wheels on and still hard to turn. But I did notice that both had a pin frozen stuck can turn it for nothing would that be my problem

**proud1** · 03-24-2010, 07:28 PM

Would anyone have some front caliper brackets for sell that would fit a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am

**sjsingle1** · 03-24-2010, 10:12 PM

seems the pins in the brackets freezing up is a common problem.......its a MUST that you clean and re grease them bad boys during a brake job....mine were so bad that in took me a hour to get them out......lots of PB blaster and twisting.....i bet any garage you take your brakes to NEVER does the pins......at the time i sure was wishing i had new brackets rather than try to get them pins out

**planemech2** · 03-25-2010, 07:04 PM

I pull my wheels and brakes every winter for cleaning and polishing. Always clean and regrease the pins. Never a problem.

**0rion** · 03-25-2010, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by proud1

sorry about the missing info but its the front brakes has a auto trans and yes i have put the wheels on and still hard to turn. But I did notice that both had a pin frozen stuck can turn it for nothing would that be my problem

this is pertinent information when you're asking this question.

**Smittro** · 03-25-2010, 08:45 PM

Also not taking care of the caliper pins can cause premature rotor wear, warpage, and incorrect pad wear and cracking. This can also cause the caliper pistons to be forced crocked in their bores which will/can cause the caliper to hang. A hung caliper can create enough heat to cause a fire in some cases.. Just my .02..