New brake calipers drag on rim

Hey folks,

Intended a routine rotor/pad replacement today. Is it ever routine with 265,000?

Please, if you are going to yell at me about after-market parts, just don't bother. I'm dealing with new tires, new brakes, and upgrading to Bilstein suspension this week, so I'm doing the best I can! I'm not rich.

Nice, new OEM rotors, top-level pads from Advance (I already had them sitting around), and lo and behold, a rusty piston on the right caliper. Won't go in enough to fit the new pads. Off to Advance to get a replacement. Installs fine, all torqued in at 91 ftlbs on the bolts. Bled the brakes. Reinstall the wheel. Side two.

I replaced the left caliper two years ago because it was a rust bucket. (I had a new frame and leaf springs off Toyota some time ago for this reason. What you get when you buy a used truck from PA.) It was okay... except for--again--one piston that just won't quite retract enough to allow the fresh pads in. Go back to Advance to replace this under warranty. Reinstall and properly grease and torque everything, bleed the brakes, reinstall the wheel.

BOTH OF THE NEW CALIPERS ARE DRAGGING ON MY RIMS!!! W.T.F. These are stock Toyota rims. I don't have anything custom about my wheels at all.

Same brand caliper as I used with no problem two years ago. Fit fine. And I called Advance from home to have them double check the part numbers.

Question: is it just that in the remanufacturing process the new coating (bright, shiny silver, so I guess galv?) is slightly too thick? That's what I guessed and the tech guessed via phone. If that is the case, should I just grind down the tiny section where it's rubbing? It's maybe a couple of milimeters, and clearly some has already rubbed off. I saw flakes when the dragging feeling/sound hit me as I backed out of the driveway. I am NOT HAPPY, but I also cannot bear to uninstall these effing parts again unless I absolutely have to.

Advice from more expert folks will be very welcome. I guess I'm looking for someone to tell me it's okay to grind a little of that coating off with a soft disc, or for someone to tell me that is the worst idea ever and I'd better not or else.

Thanks in advance.

 

Not sure what trim yours is, but i believe the calipers on the sport trims are larger and only work for 17" wheels. Maybe this is the issue you're seeing? (if you have 16s)

Personally I wouldn't try to grind them down any.

 

Is it possible that you have them on the wrong side?
There is a left and right side caliper.

 

Good question, but I was pretty careful about that--made them double check the parts as I was checking out (and these were good guys--not boneheads). Plus, the hoses lined up just right, etc. I think they're in the right spot.

Thanks for the reply.

 

If the wheel moves and is just 'kissing' a small edge, a flat file will fix it.

If you aren't up for that, a return is in order because they 'don't fit'.

Narrowing your options.

 

Hey Will,

I've got 17s on here, so that shouldn't be it either. 265/65r17. Thanks for the reply.

 

They definitely move. It's a kiss on the widest part of the piston housing, so I might just try the file (or a tiny grinder kiss--I do a lot of welding, so I've got the finesse! And Lord knows the spot is already marked!!). I just have a feeling it's fat coating.

 

Yeah I'm not going to say grinding on the caliper is a good idea, but I would be doing that if I was in your shoes.

 

The dude at Advance was like, "Feel free to try it. We don't care if you bring them back with spots on them." Worth a try, I guess.

 

Pictures?

 

I'll have to snag some tomorrow. I got done putting it all back together just before dark and was so annoyed I forgot that part and headed for a margarita. Thanks for the reply.

 

Marked to view the pictures.

 

what wheels are you running?

 

I've never had a problem with 17" rims and any rubbing on calipers. Now with 16" it happens a lot.
A flat file and a little work will accomplish your goal. Have seen it done many times on 16" calipers to get them to fit. Plenty of casting so don't worry.

 

Hi there, these are stock 265/65/17.

 

Which wheels not tires. Post a photo.

 

Thanks for the reply and the nudge. Nice to feel confident about my instinct! I just took a soft grinder disc to them very gently and seem to have rid myself of the rub. Rims definitely took a hit just backing out of and pulling back into the driveway last night to test the brakes, but they should still be safe since it's maybe 1-2mm deep and the rims are pretty thick right here. At least it's an interior scrape in terms of cosmetics.


Thanks again to everyone! This message board is such a good resource. Appreciate y'all!

 

Sorry about that--been a hectic 24 hours. Brain not all here:

 

I am going to guess this is more of a wheel issue then caliper problem. Those aren't tacoma wheels.