Sticking caliper question

I've got a sticking caliper on the driver's front. I'm able to pull them back with channel locks without too much resistance, but when used again they stay closed.

I'm a little confused because both sides are sticking, which makes me think it could be something "upstream" in the braking system rather than the calipers. I would expect only one side of the caliper to be sticking unless both sides started to stick simultaneously..

Am I correct in my thinking? Any ways to test what the true culprit is?

BTW 120k mi on original calipers so problems are certainly expected.

 

They don't auto retract, they will just back off a slight amount after removing pressure from the master cylinder. When you say "sticking", is it causing wear or drag? Is your hub becoming very hot to the touch after driving?

 

I think I've got a similar problem...

I had my mechanic look at my brake pads yesterday when he installed the lift kit; My left brake pad is close to 50% life, but my right brake pad is just 35% life. The calipers are fine, but for there to be that much of a difference in wear something is obviously going on (that I haven't figured out yet)!

 

First noticed vibration when braking, now there is a light audible scratching / squeeling. Jacked it up and when you rotate the tire there is resistance and brake noise. Removed wheel and found both pads were touching the rotors

 

Sounds like one side of your caliper is sticking, which seems more likely than them both sticking, which is what mine is doing

 

Have you ever changed your brake fluid?

 

no I haven't...

 

I definitely have...

 

I don't believe there's anything that would cause all cylinders to be sticking. If so, you'd likely have your rear drums locking up as well. You can get a brake caliper rebuild kit and replace the seals and take everything part to make sure there's no scoring on the pistons.

 

Also, I believe I got like 80K out of my original calipers before one of them seized up; It was extraordinarily cold and snow in both 2017 and 2018 (this was discovered in March 2018), so I that combined with more than eight years of Pennsylvania winters likely had something to do with it...

NOTE: My truck passed PA state inspection in October 2017 and the brake pads were at 50% life with all front brake components in good condition so it's obvious it froze up sometime after Halloween 2017 but before Saint Patrick's Day 2018...

 

Just went and checked and the passenger side has just the slightest bit of resistance / brake noise. Maybe I've got water in the fluid?

 

i dont think it would cause your issue though.

ide say rusty slide pins but you live in az so nvm haha.

 

I should check the slide pins though because it's easy. I bought the truck in south Texas...