Prius V -2012 rear brake caliper pins "seized"

Not saying this will work, but what I would try:

Take the caliper mounting bracket off the car, mount it in a vice. If I recall correctly, there is a 17 mm hex shape on the shoulder of the pin. Try to coax penetrating fluid into the interface, and let it soak. Maybe some gentle hammer taps. Put a 6 point 17mm socket on the pin, try to turn it. Repeat with heat (heat gun, not open flame) if no luck. Repeat with some sort of electric impact wrench on lowest setting, if adjustable.

There is also a threaded hold in the back of the pin. You could screw a metric bold into that, and grab that with a puller, try a few slams.

There was something here about that a few months back. I'm not sure, but someone might have found a source for just the rubber ring? Ask a dealership service department, I'm sure they've had to deal with this, would know part numbers if it's available.

 

Here's (US) McGeorge Toyota Part link:

Rear Brakes for 2012 Toyota Prius V | Toyota Parts

To just replace all the affected parts, you're likely looking at 5~6 hundred in Canada. I used to drop $400 on a 4 wheel brake job, decades back, didn't concern me.

Maybe just shop around for best deal, get all the parts you have to get, get the proper pin lube (Sil-Glyde Brake Lubricant is good, and Permatex Anti-Seize, for the pad-to-shim-to-caliper faying surfaces, and then stay on top of it, thereafter.

A lot of owners here are saying their pads last and last, the Prius brakes are lifetime. But they're dilussional: the pads are just one component of the brakes, and Toyota does spec complete brake inspection. This is from Canadian 2014 warranty and maintenance booklet, for all Canadian Toyota models:



Note the brake fluid replacement interval too.

 

No, it's not spec'd. I would almost never use lock tight on bolts, even if it is spec'd, makes it a pain in future to remove. I've taken brackets off our (regular) 3rd gen Prius, it's not that hard. The bolts are just a little harder to remove, but if you have a good long-handle ratchet wrench and 6 point sockets it's no problem.

I'll attach third gen Prius brake instruction, fwiw. Obviously the v is somewhat different, but very similar for brakes I think.

 

Ya it's dumb...way more complicated setup!

 

I have always justified buying tools by the money I would have spent by taking it to the man.

The next time I use the tool it is free.

Common tools are cheaper today than when I was young.

 

Item 14 here, mainly just for reference:

Rear Brakes for 2012 Toyota Prius V | Toyota Parts

Probably signif. more from Canadian dealership, please post the price, I'm curious.

 

What was the condition of the (outer) rubber sealing boots on those pins? I'm thinking there has to be a story behind them getting that stuck. I wouldn't be too quick to blame the Toyota grease.

If you buy the rubber kit at the dealer (pin and piston boots and seals and bleed screw caps) you get a little packet of the right grease right there in the kit so you don't have to spring for a whole tube. I have no way to answer your compatibility question about some other product.

Often by several years in, the bleed screw caps can be cracking, loose, or gone. Well worth replacing if so, else water gets in through the passage in the screw and bonds the thing to the caliper from the inside out. Can turn routine bleeding into a nightmare job.

-Chap

 

I've been using Sil-Glyde Brake Lubricant on th caliper pins, on our 2010, and revisiting 3 years later they were fine, free moving still, and no swelling of the rubber O-rings on rear brake pins. It's not the "kosher" lube, but it's readily available, and works. I put a thin layer on the rubber "collars" at heads of pins too.

Faying surfaces between pad backs, shims and caliper, I use Permatex Anti-Seize.

In a pinch I could ship to a mail box in Blaine, just across the border, it's a common practice. But that's not going to work for you, so far north. Yeah it'd be interesting to see what the dealership quotes, it might not be too bad. Post the the price, good or bad.

 

Better stick with dealership. Sorry, but I don't want to get that involved.

 

Can you trace through the service history? My guess is the brakes have no maintenance, beyond a glance-over when they rotated the tires.

Or, someone used something like anti-seize on them, another no-no.

 

What that is, is rusted beyond belief. I saw you say the boots were not damaged on the pins, but the boots are what have not done their job here, which is to keep the water and salt out.

-Chap