How do you know if rear brake caliper is broke ?

[Ktorres1]

Two people told me this is the case as its making a scraping screeching slash clanking noise and leaking what appears to be brake fluid. Then I check my brake fluid and it was empty so I poured some more while I keep my eye on it. Here's the thing I take to tire choice and they tell me I have a broken driver side rear axle, brushing etc lol only thing i heard was $600 !!!!! Help.

[Peter]

Two people told me this is the case as its making a scraping screeching slash clanking noise and leaking what appears to be brake fluid. Then I check my brake fluid and it was empty so I poured some more while I keep my eye on it. Here's the thing I take to tire choice and they tell me I have a broken driver side rear axle, brushing etc lol only thing i heard was $600 !!!!! Help.

It could be:

-A damaged or worn piston seal
-Scores or corrosion on the piston or caliper bore
-Defective caliper seal
-Loos brake line fitting
-Damaged copper cealing washer on banjo bolt

Soloutions:
-Replace
-Service Caliper
-Replace Caliper
-Tighten fitting or replace brake line
-Replace copper sealing washer

Try checking the condition of the brake pads and check for any other leaks/

I hope this helps.

[Ktorres1]

Brake pads are fine but I will be taking your list with me to do !

[fastblackmerc]

Brake pads are fine but I will be taking your list with me to do !

Your brake pads are not fine if there is any brake fluid on them. They need to be replaced.

[MOTOWN]

if you have a broken axle, brakes are the least of your problems

[Ktorres1]

Your brake pads are not fine if there is any brake fluid on them. They need to be replaced.

They did so what does that signify ?

[Ktorres1]

I forgot to mention my abs and brake light warnings also went off but no codes

[CBT]

you're losing fluid, that crap will will turn your pads to mush if you don't crash first because you can't stop. Better get them checked out, brother.

[Got_1]

I forgot to mention my abs and brake light warnings also went off but no codes

you're leaking brake fluid so that will trigger your brake light if its low enough. may also trigger ABS on these cars tho not 100% sure.

usually if the ABS light comes on there should be a code to retrieve.

[massacre]

Gotta figure out whether you're leaking brake fluid, gear oil, or both.

Like was said, when the brake fluid drops below a certain level, there is a sensor in the reservoir that will throw a light on the dash.

A broken axle could have affected your brake caliper, or vise-versa.

Good luck sir, and like CBT said, I wouldn't drive it at all. Very dangerous.

[Ktorres1]

Car is parked now... I took of the caliper all seemed fine, I refilled the brake fluid and its still full but the abs and brake light keep going of without giving any codes. I'm really starting to think it is the rear driverside axle but how can I be certain ? Anything to look for ?? Thanks

[fastblackmerc]

Car is parked now... I took of the caliper all seemed fine, I refilled the brake fluid and its still full but the abs and brake light keep going of without giving any codes. I'm really starting to think it is the rear driverside axle but how can I be certain ? Anything to look for ?? Thanks

Yes, look at the backing plate or pull the wheel off. If it's an axle/problem or leak the fluid will smell terrible, almost like a natural gas leak. If it's the brakes, pull the wheels off or look under the car while someone pumps the brakes. You might see fluid spraying or dripping out.

[Ktorres1]

Yes, look at the backing plate or pull the wheel off. If it's an axle/problem or leak the fluid will smell terrible, almost like a natural gas leak. If it's the brakes, pull the wheels off or look under the car while someone pumps the brakes. You might see fluid spraying or dripping out.

I wrapped it up for today left it garaged at my dad's till Thursday when my buddy who is a former Ford technician comes over to take a look at it. I will make sure I go through all these steps thanks guys.

[Ktorres1]

Nothing smells like gas but would the bearings being broke cause oil leak ?

[CBT]

Nothing smells like gas but would the bearings being broke cause oil leak ?
Bearings use grease, homie.

[Ktorres1]

I think that could be it ill find out Thursday.

[05crownsport]

The axle bearings are bathed in oil, not grease.

[Ktorres1]

Since this is the suspected case what could've caused the breaking of an axle bearing ?

[fastblackmerc]

Nothing smells like gas but would the bearings being broke cause oil leak ?

If the bearings "broke" the axle would be flopping around causing the seal to go bad.

[massacre]

Bad rear axle seal will cause gear oil to leak out, and usually shows up on the inside of the rear wheel(s). That could be happening and you're thinking it's brake fluid instead?

[Dragcity]

Resevoir was empty...... Thank God Thursday is only two days away. Let your pal who is a Ford tech take a look at it.

[massacre]

It could be both.....(gear oil & brake fluid)
I would pull the axle and see...

[05crownsport]

Resevoir was empty...... Thank God Thursday is only two days away. Let your pal who is a Ford tech take a look at it.

DITTO. That is impossible to diagnose via this forum.

[Ktorres1]

Bad rear axle seal will cause gear oil to leak out, and usually shows up on the inside of the rear wheel(s). That could be happening and you're thinking it's brake fluid instead?

This is exactly what I believe is happening so I went ahead and bought the axle,bearing and etc kit.

[Ktorres1]

I am currently hard act woe disabling everything and was wonder if anyone had a links with picks as how to do this as I'm get close but I'm stuck ! Thanks guys

[Ktorres1]

All fixed! It was a broken bearing and seal. Then we filled the gears back up with 2 quarts or Lucas 80-140 I believe it was as well as some friction modifier.

[fastblackmerc]

Did you get all the pieces of the broken bearing out?

[massacre]

Glad to hear you got it figured out.

[Ktorres1]

Everything is good except my ABS & brake light come on and off but all feels well. Is there anything I'm missing ?

[Ktorres1]

Ok so I forgot to put i broke my emergency parking bake by forgetting to put all the parts and now I have a slight gear oil leak I believe. Is this dangerous and could it be the cause of this ?

[05crownsport]

If your ABS and brake light are illuminated then you have either a fluid issue (leak) and or a wheel speed sensor issue, and or your pads are low on the front. When the pads wear, brake fluid will not return to the master cylinder reservoir. Now that you have added fluid, be sure there is no leaks.... and if you need front pads you must siphon out some fluid.... old turkey baster works.... before retracting calipers for new pads. You could also bleed the fluid through and put all new fluid in. That process is time consuming. Good luck. The rule is that if an orange light is on, the car should be okay to drive, any red lights mean you should not drive it. Just to be safe.

[Ktorres1]

Everything had too be fixed again due to how my original broken bearing ate my axle so a whole new kit was installed by my buddy and boy does she run smooth !

[RoyLPita]

If your ABS and brake light are illuminated then you have either a fluid issue (leak) and or a wheel speed sensor issue, and or your pads are low on the front. When the pads wear, brake fluid will not return to the master cylinder reservoir. Now that you have added fluid, be sure there is no leaks.... and if you need front pads you must siphon out some fluid.... old turkey baster works.... before retracting calipers for new pads. You could also bleed the fluid through and put all new fluid in. That process is time consuming. Good luck. The rule is that if an orange light is on, the car should be okay to drive, any red lights mean you should not drive it. Just to be safe.

I had a brake light come on for very low rear pads.