I attempted to change my front pads today. I was following the procedures in a Haynes manual. I had a hard time compressing the caliper piston. For the outer one I had to use two clamps to compress (not too had) with the bleeder nipple open. One I got the outer pad out I worked on getting the inner out, but the piston will does not seem to want to compress. Do you think it is a frozen caliper? This brake (front left) froze up on me few weeks ago (haven't driven it much since) and would not disengage. The problem appeared to "fix itself" but I'm a little worried I may need a new caliper, but really don't want to spend the money for a new one. Please tell me there's a trick to removing the inner pad.
Thanks

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'85 300td Frybrid WVO Kit

time for a new used caliper.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Rebuilt caliper time

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Sounds like a seized caliper to me. You should replace them in pairs.

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^^Yeah, probably, but I pull some fluid out of the MC, and leave the cap off so the fluid has somewhere to go. Yet with the bleed screw open, that should have covered that aspect.

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83 SD

84 CD

Thanks for all the insight. I'm on a tight budget so I'm going to go the cheap (AZ) parts route. I'm a little confused about exactly what part I need to purchase. Online they have 3 options which seem like they might be appropriate:

1) Brake Caliper
2) Brake Caliper Loaded Single
3) Brake Caliper semi-loaded

Could someone please tell me what the difference is in these and what one would be the best bet (pros / cons) for my situation. I already have purchased pads so if that is what "loaded" means then I guess I don't need that.

Also-like I said I'm on a tight budget, so....if I only replace one caliper (not the pair) what could be the consequences?

thanks a lot

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'85 300td Frybrid WVO Kit

I would just go with the standard rebuilt caliper. Don't know what that other stuff means.

However, I'd replace them on both sides. Its a bad idea not to....if one was already locking up then the other isn't far behind and you'll have to replace it anyways. If one caliper is new and strong and the other isn't working well, and you do a panic stop, you could lock up one wheel and go flying off the road. Replace both calipers, then you will only have to bleed the system once too.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Caliper is just the hunk of metal with the piston, bleeder screw, basically the bare essentials. Semi-loaded includes hardware such as the pins and the little clip(s) on top (depends whether you have an ATE or Bendix style). Fully loaded calipers include brake pads. A lot of semi and fully loaded calipers also include brake grease too. Your best bet is to go semi-loaded and get a good set of pads. I just replaced all the braking components on my 300SD (except booster) with rebuilt parts from napa. The rebuilt calipers run about 50 bucks but are tough to come by. ********AZ is not the cheapest here, especially factoring in shipping costs...I believe O'reilly has free shipping which would save you a bundle considering the weight (I think I weighed mine out at 22 lbs), its a matter of whether you want OE parts or not--since cost is a factor, it sounds you would be leaning away from that.

You should always replace them in pairs unless you have the exact same brand. If one is frozen its probably a good idea to replace the other one too.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Just ordered a pair or cardone reman. brakes (just calipers, not loaded with anything). I went with the bendix, hoping my springs and pins from the old calipers will fit the new calipers. Thanks for the help

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'85 300td Frybrid WVO Kit