Drivers Side Caliper seized

I've heard this is a very common Tacoma issue (mine is 2007 4.0 4x4), especially in areas with heavy winter salt. About 24 hours ago I noticed heavy brake dust on my drivers side front wheel and sure enough upon driving the pads seem seized up against the rotor. From what I've heard in person from my mechanic friends the pins on which all this works seem to be POS. 171k on the truck and I've had rotors and pads replaced but not the calipers.

My question; I cannot get replacements until late next week, can I un-seize the calipers easily so I can drive it? Removing the calipers and pads seems easy enough but what happens when I press the brake if I removed the pads?

 

I would try to press them back with the bleeder open, try using a clamp to put pressure on it constantly.

You'll have issues removing the pins likely if the pistons are seized as well.

Are you sure you cant find calipers? they are stupid common

 

I can get calipers, I can't get into a shop to work on it until the end of the week unfortunately.

If I crack the bleeder, do I need to do a full bleed before putting it back together like I will when doing the full brake job?

 

Yes, but it won't be a mega bleed, air won't go in, and if the caliper is fucked it doesn't matter on that end.

 

I am pretty sure the caliper is FUBAR, just looking for an easy fix so I can drive to work the next couple days.

 

I dealt with this. The pins were so seized that I had to cut them and ended up scrapping the whole caliper and got a remand from Autozone for like $50. There was no way I was getting the pins out. The Caliper swap is not bad at all just make sure you put the correct angle on the compression fitting of the brake line into the caliper and swap the bleeder bolt from your originals because the new one will not fit the cap. You MIGHT be able to push the caliper back in but then as soon as you hit your brake it's going to seize again. I swear the effort you are going to put into trying to fix the damn thing isn't worth it...Bit of advice when you replace...Lube the pins with lithium grease and reach behind the tire and twist them back and forth when you do your oil change...Keeps them moving...


Some day you'll have this and it's fantastic...you know...until your first winter and it looks like a rust ball again!

 

That looks beautiful! I went to jack my truck up but with the 3" lift the jack wouldn't touch so I had to build a 4.5" riser out of 2x4s. Tire off, and TBH my caliper looked way worse than that. Loosened the bleeder and got my skinny trim pry bar in and pushed the pads back, they are rough! The boots on the piston are crusted and broken, the rings toasted. RIP.