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Are my brakes seized?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Mclarengtrf1, Nov 14, 2022.

  1. Mclarengtrf1

    Mclarengtrf1 Junior Member

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    Swapping on the winter tires and noticed this. Only the rear rotors rusty front looks normal. Also notice one side doesn’t have rotor dust shield back cover, is it without one?


    ro IMG_2410.jpg


    IMG_2401.jpg


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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Book Cover Judge

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    Those are seriously messed up brakes. Lots of salt use in your area? Ever serviced?

    both sides should have the dust shield, second owner?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 15, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2022
  3. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    The only way to find out if your brake is seized is if the rotors dont want to come off if you try to remove/replace them. There are ways to remove it by inserting a bolt to push it out, pb-blaster, hammer, etc. There are videos on youtube, just search Prius brakes. And yes they’re all suppose to have dust shield.

    Also, you have plenty of rusts on your suspension/control arms. I would spray WD40 on those, or permatex aerosol rust remover. Wash your undercarriage first with a high-pressure washer at car wash, then give those rusts some treatment either WD40 or permatex rust remover. I bet even your exhaust and pipes are rusted. You dont want those coming off lol.

    Good luck.
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Stick camera behind rotor! Is plate rusted off . Or been removed . I used to delete rears on some models. Especially if I had Holey rotors . As in X drilled . Maybe was a kids car . Rest looks better than most New England cars suspension. Can you rotate brake rotor wen wheel attached??? probably not locked or welded or clamped. Need calipers slides new rotors at best of and course pads. Good luck
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Book Cover Judge

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    Reading between the lines, till OP comes back (if he does): the condition of the rotors is testimant to extreme neglect of maintenance. I doubt he's interested in DIY either. If that's the case: just get it to a dealership, expect to pay at least a grand (CDN).
     
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  6. Mclarengtrf1

    Mclarengtrf1 Junior Member

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    Thanks all the replies.

    I am 3rd owner

    I’m in Ontario, Toronto to be specific. Not yet serviced in my ownership of 3 years. I would have tackled myself it was little warmer. Might take to a shop not dealer.

    I will look into order rear rotors, pads and a dust shield


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  7. Mclarengtrf1

    Mclarengtrf1 Junior Member

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    I did noticed brakes felt vague in summer but my mechanic said they rust due to lack of driving. Which is true we only drive 200 km a month in local traffic. Was told they can resurface the rotors but it will come back if we don’t drive enough.


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  8. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Yep, near the end of its life cycle.
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Book Cover Judge

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    In case you don't know: the two open holes in the rotors are threaded, can be employed with bolts screwed through to the backing plate, to help pop the rotor off the face of the wheel bearing behind. Bolt required is M8x1.25, at least an inch long, fully threaded. They're typically available at most hardware stores.

    Also, you need to be careful DIY'ing the Prius brakes; see the rear brake link in my signature.
     
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If I'm not mistaken, to replace the dust shield, you need to remove the hub bearing assembly.

    And unless I miss my guess, in that car, you won't be getting the old hub bearing assembly removed in reusable condition.

    Therefore, if you're going to order a dust shield, you should probably also order the hub bearing.
     
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  11. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yes I believe that is correct The dust shield bolts onto the hub bearing assembly or holder and I don't think you can get to that from behind like you say once they fall off or they rust off and taking that whole piece apart even in some Corollas and whatnot or Yaris so most folks just don't if they get to the rear brakes at all they just do the rotors the slides piston rubbers if needed and let it rip
     
  12. Mclarengtrf1

    Mclarengtrf1 Junior Member

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    How important is the dust shield? Not an expert but sounds a lot more work involved with hub bearing.


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  13. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's not important at all people who autocross and drive their cars very spirited or whatever you want to call it often delete the backing plates off of whatever position rotor they want especially if they're running like cross drill vented cooled rotors let's more air flies through the rotor other people have taken it a step further and have a small 1-in or so fitting that they cut a hole in the backing plate mount this fitting to the backing plate usually with tacking it with a welder and then add a hose to that and run that hose up to the front grill in the air path that tends to use NACA ductwork to funnel air right up to the back of the backing plate and through the rotor because it has air holes and slots in it etc some people don't want to weld on the bung to the backing plate so they just delete the backing plate and let as much air flow fly through there as possible people say what about rocks and road debris well that's a pretty good stretch you have to have a lot of sand and grit flying up at your brake rotor and brake caliper to be rapidly accelerating the wear. So we're not driving on the desert generally so we should be okay Street driving that is.
     
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  14. Paladain55

    Paladain55 Active Member

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    That dust shield is just fine. Do your brakes and move on. Used motor oil in a pneumatic undercoater spray gun works great for some of that chassis rust. Just power wash the frame real well and get it clean first. You can use fluid film as well but I honestly think used motor oil soaks in and preserves better. The fluid film just sits on top which isn't as helpful.