Brake pull - will hardware fix?

[D13]

87 1/2 ton 6.2 auto. Had a brake pull, could feel the caliper hang, snap to engage, then hang for a second on release. It's been sitting for a year (with diesel at $4.79!!), but now I need to start driving it again. Now, both sides are doing it (of course, not simultaneously). You hit the pedal, poor braking, then SANP as it breaks free, and lots of brakes. After the stop, you can feel the drag, until they pop back free.
In your experience, will the hardware kit alone fix this, or am I most likely going to have to do the whole thing? One of the calipers (the non-sticking one) was only a few months old when this started, so I would suspect that the pistons are not stuck in the calipers, and it doesn't seem to have any drag once they pop back, so i suspect the hoses are OK.

BTW haven't done square body brakes ever, even though my family has owned one since 1982. Are they similar to large cars of the era, i.e. bolt and sleeve?
Thanks!

[jsbgump]

I believe it would be best just to replace the calipers.

[87Bob]

Originally Posted by D13

87 1/2 ton 6.2 auto. Had a brake pull, could feel the caliper hang, snap to engage, then hang for a second on release. It's been sitting for a year (with diesel at $4.79!!), but now I need to start driving it again. Now, both sides are doing it (of course, not simultaneously). You hit the pedal, poor braking, then SANP as it breaks free, and lots of brakes. After the stop, you can feel the drag, until they pop back free.
In your experience, will the hardware kit alone fix this, or am I most likely going to have to do the whole thing? One of the calipers (the non-sticking one) was only a few months old when this started, so I would suspect that the pistons are not stuck in the calipers, and it doesn't seem to have any drag once they pop back, so i suspect the hoses are OK.

BTW haven't done square body brakes ever, even though my family has owned one since 1982. Are they similar to large cars of the era, i.e. bolt and sleeve?
Thanks!

I'd try lubing the pins and clean off any rust that might be there. Probably no cost involved just time and a little high temp brake grease

[BowTieOgre]

Originally Posted by 87Bob

I'd try lubing the pins and clean off any rust that might be there. Probably no cost involved just time and a little high temp brake grease

Always best to spend time before you spend money. Clean them up and apply some grease and see if they behave, if not then new calipers, pads and hoses shouldnt cost you more than $75-85.

[Albatrossian]

I priced calipers for my 81 1/2t and they weren less than $15 each.. plus $10 for pads. Can't beat the price for a little piece of mind..

[Walts_restoration]

have you tried replacing the brake hoses? they usualy lock up if the hose is rotted and will let fluid in but not out.

[BowTieOgre]

Originally Posted by Walts_restoration

have you tried replacing the brake hoses? they usualy lock up if the hose is rotted and will let fluid in but not out.

Thats exactly what happened with my '73 Blazer. The hose on the PS was letting fluid go to the calipers easy enough (because of the force the booster was putting behind the MC) but it wasnt letting that much fluid out of the caliper. You should have seen the grooves in the rotor from the PO driving it around like that! I changed the hose and while I was at it I dropped the extra coin on calipers, rotors and pads...money well spent.