Brakes overheating

[mar06mir]

Hi,

Corolla ZRE152, 2007 - Just installed new genuine rear brake pads and they overheat only after 10km drive. Had the discs machined and re-installed but the issue persists. Could it be sticky calipers? I had great trouble pushing the pistons back in both times to make room for the new pads. Had to use all my strength on a clamp. On other cars used to push them in with a hammer handle.

[trentmeyer23]

Calipers likely need a rebuild or replacing. What is the condition/how old is the brake fluid?

[mar06mir]

Should be about 3 years. Rebuilt RHS caliper today. Replaced fluid. Same problem. Could I damage the caliper by pressing it too hard with the clamp? Just realised they go in easily by turning clockwise. Couldn't see any damage inside when I opened it.

[trentmeyer23]

Depending on the type of the caliper, especially the "screw" type you may damage it with a clamp. Fluid should be changed at a maximum of 12 months; and more frequently in humid climates.

[mar06mir]

Thank you. Yes, they are screw type and I applied as much pressure on the clamp as I could. Must have damaged them, especially the RHS one although I couldn't see any damage by naked eye. Got secnd hand ones today from a wrecker for $80 ea (Toyota asked for $550 x 2). Installed them, replaced the fuid and so far so good.

[trentmeyer23]

There are special tools, like this, that are designed to do the job properly.

[mar06mir]

Thank you very much. I must have replaced dozens of brake pads on previous cars, mainly Holden and Ford, and never ran accross a screw type caliper piston. Learned the hard way.

[trentmeyer23]

They are far more common on European built vehicles. They seem to be spreading into other markets progressively.

[Hiro]

Screw-type caliper pistons are especially common on cars where the handbrake actuates the piston rather than a separate internal brake drum - the screw thread is part of the self-adjusting mechanism of the handbrake

[campbeam]

I have never had to rebuild brake calipers so was interested to read the following article [with supporting photos] even though it is for a motorbike.

https://jalopnik.com/heres-how-to-rebuild-your-brake-calipers-1825874839?utm_source=quora&utm_medium=referral