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Gen 3 2011 sticky caliper? Hmmmm

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Ianmeister, Mar 16, 2022.

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  1. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Hello all! So I’ve noticed something interesting. When I press down on the brake pedal all the way First the anti-skid light comes on. When I release the pedal the light goes off, and when I start to move the front caliper grabs and makes a loud “clunk”! When the wheel starts to roll. Do we have a sticky caliper that needs replacing? What say you all?

    also do I need tech stream to replace and bleed a caliper on Gen 3?

    thanks all!

    ps. Anyone who tells me to just go buy a new car will be unregrettably placed on my ignore list.
     
    #1 Ianmeister, Mar 16, 2022
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    You might not have to replace the caliper. The brake caliper pins are likely corroded and frozen.

    Check out this video;

     
    #2 Georgina Rudkus, Mar 16, 2022
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Are you certain that you are not engaging the hill-start assist (described in the owner's manual)?

    When you arm it (by pressing the brake pedal all the way), the skid light comes on with a short beep.

    The brakes then stay applied until you apply go pedal to move the car, and the brakes then let go.

    If you take your foot off the brake and do not apply any go pedal, the brakes should let go about two seconds later anyway.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Mar 16, 2022
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Attached is non-Techstream instruction for brake bleed (plus Techstream bleed and basic brake inspection info), from 3rd gen Repair Manual.

    Some relevant links in my signature too.
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 Mendel Leisk, Mar 16, 2022
  5. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    #5 Ianmeister, Mar 16, 2022
  6. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Ok. So it doesn’t matter if I engage the hill assist or not. Every time I stop no matter how gently I apply the brakes that caliper sticks and makes a pronounced “thunk” and jolt when I start moving again.
     
    #6 Ianmeister, Mar 18, 2022
  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Again, it is most likely "sticking slide pins." Check out this video.

     
    #7 Georgina Rudkus, Mar 18, 2022
  8. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Well kids, I pulled the pins out of the calipers… it was actually very easy. You can pull and inspect them one at a time without actually removing the piston completely. Anyway they were clean and greasy. So I added a little more grease and reassembled. Strangely they don’t seem to be doing it anymore. We‘ll see.
     
    #8 Ianmeister, Apr 3, 2022
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What grease?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Apr 3, 2022
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