That time I finally fixed a stuck caliper with a rubber mallet from Harbor Freight

I had a '98 Ford F-150 with a rear caliper that would just not release, drove me crazy for two weekends. I tried penetrating oil, heat, even a proper brake tool kit, nothing worked. Then an old timer at the shop near Decatur told me to tap the caliper body with a rubber mallet while someone pumped the brakes, and it freed right up. Has anyone else had luck with that trick or am I just getting lucky with seized parts?

3 comments

3 Comments

leodavis24d ago

You ever try tapping the bleeder screw before you go after the caliper body? That usually breaks the rust seal for me.

milesbailey24d agoMost Upvoted

Whoa, wait - you just tap the bleeder screw and that's it? That's all it takes to break the rust seal?

craig.john23d ago

You know, that's a solid trick and I feel your pain man. I've been there with a seized caliper on my old Dodge and nothing seemed to work until I gave it a few good taps just like that. Sometimes all this stuff needs is a little persuasion to break free from years of rust and crud.