Gen 3 2011 sticky caliper? Hmmmm

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

Tags:
  1. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2019
    311
    312
    0
    Location:
    Meridian Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    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

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,312
    2,309
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    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

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,665
    16,765
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    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

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,962
    39,991
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    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

    Joined:
    May 21, 2019
    311
    312
    0
    Location:
    Meridian Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
     
    #5 Ianmeister, Mar 16, 2022
  6. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2019
    311
    312
    0
    Location:
    Meridian Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    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

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,312
    2,309
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Again, it is most likely "sticking slide pins." Check out this video.

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

    Ianmeister Active Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2019
    311
    312
    0
    Location:
    Meridian Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    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

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,962
    39,991
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What grease?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Apr 3, 2022
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)