Caliper is stuck to rotor, how to release?

[csvt99]

I was driving down the road yesterday and I started to smell brakes. Turned out my front left caliper/brake pad won't let go of the rotor (at least that is what I think it is). This is a standard Ford caliper, about 3 years old, with ~20,000 miles on it. The same thing happened to the right side when the calipers had 6,000 miles on them.

Can any of you brake experts give me any tips on releasing the caliper? I'd at least like to do this for the drive to the shop, because last time it warped the rotor too. I'm not sure...but it seems like there may be a larger issue here...although last time I just had the caliper replaced and its been fine since (the right side that is).

I'm at a loss when it comes to brakes so anything will help,

Thanks guys

[csvt99]

Somehow this morning it was freed up again when I took it to the shop. They are going to check the master brake cylinder and clean the caliper. Hope that prevents it from happening again. I knew I should have went with the fsvt brakes

[csvt99]

According to the mechanics, the caliper was simply dirty so they are going to put a new one on. Seems wierd that I've replaced more calipers on my car than pads???

[SVTJON87]

maybe the slide pins were stuck, and dirty/ not greased

[warmonger]

Probably pad transfer. I had this happen on my car when it was new, big clank when you'd try to go and the outline of the damned brake pad was on the rotor surface! Dealer just replaced the pads not the calipers.

this is not the same as a sticking caliper that won't let go.