2013 Fit Sport. 5 spd. 68k mi. (Stock equipment, disc front drum back) Driver front brake hung up. Got hot, stunk with that obvious brake smell. Pulled it apart, caliper pins not sticky. Caliper seems to be moving as it should. Pads are new-ish.
Anything else to look at?
thanks.

 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tail&FORM=VIRE


Good video about locking calipers. Clay

 

most likely the caliper is no good, I’ve replaced mine before for the same reason. A lot of times they will rust internally because the brake fluid isn’t replaced like it should be and the moisture rots them out. It’s also possible that the rubber line going to the caliper has collapsed but I would start by replacing the calipers, they might feel fine when you look at them but once they get hot that’s when they start sticking.

 

silly addition: missing anti-squeal spring clip. the little coat hanger.

 

Do you guys recommend replacing or rebuilding a caliper?

 

If I've got cash I replace them, save the original to rebuild or toss it if nobody cares.
For rebuilds I get some 3m very fine (burgundy/brownish) scuff pads from the sand paper section in HD or Lowes, some wd40 to lube the stuff, buff the slide pins that way and if you can pop out the piston, buff that the same. Some folks use a compressor to blow the piston out. when I didnt have a compressor I used vice grips on the outer edge and sanded/buffed it back smooth, tried to avoid interfering with the seal.

They're not hard, but it's tedious. For the fit I might do a rebuild - the oem stuff on this car continues to impress re: quality. but i dont really enjoy rebuilding calipers.

 

Yeah I don't want to lose my OEM calipers. Do you buy a new seal kit and everything? I want to replace all the rubber and the slide pins with new stuff.

 

For when i've done caliper rebuilds (only on our toyotas - they needed it) I bought whatever seal kit was available on rockauto. raybestos or whatever brand was actually in stock - I dont think people regularly spend the time to do rebuilds. you could also try honda but I've no clue if they sell a kit, individual parts (more likely) or anything at all besides a full caliper.

For pins and such, I tend to only replace them if there's an issue like a bend or significant corrosion that I cant buff off. So long as the piston is sealed, there's no binding, and the face of said piston as it contacts the pad isnt uneven, I'd figure it good to go.