I just went to replace the brakes on my 2000 firebird, and wouldnt ya know the caliper brackets had seized.... both the passenger and driver side had seized, is this a common problem? I mean i wasnt able to move the floating bolt even with vice grips and standing on it to keep it from moving.

I know this seems random but Im curious to know if anyone has any info on the benefits of this system. The 97 Z-28 I had didnt have anything like this at all. And has anyone else had problems with caliper brackets?

 

No, I cant say that I have. I use PB Blaster to loosen brake bolts.

 

red kind of unusual for such a new vehicle. but isnt an uncommon problem. cars from back east or where salt is used see a higher number of caliper problems. ive seen alot of this very problem with cars approaching the ten year mark hondas especially for some reason but all are succeptable. i use a generous amount of synthetic disc brake lube for reassembly of calipers(i havent had one beat me on disassembly yet but for most people just pick up rebuilds at the parts store) i even disassemble and relube the slides on rebuilt calipers as well as often i see the rebuilder has the o ring all wadded up and no lube in there. true for all floating calipers bracket or bolt mounted. stuck slides are a big problems and cause all sorts of complaints from noise, reduced mileage, accelerated uneven pad wear among other things. make sure the dust/moisture boots are there and installed properly on the slides
as for disassembly on your try wd40 or other penetrating lube and work back and forth in small increments and youll notice it moves more and more each time. clane and smooth slides and your back in business kurt

 

I got the drivers side bracket to move, but i broke the floating bolt in half, and on the passenger side i soaked the thing in pb blaster and pounded it for a bit, it went in but wouldnt come back out. I ended up hittin up NAPA for 2 new calipers, cant buy just the bracket, wasnt so bad after all, and besides, now i can completley replace the brakes on a 98-02 f-body in about 2-3 hours lol. Bleeding brakes n all that good stuff, i figure it was a good learning xperience, besides both new calipers cost me 48$ compined it pays to know people!!