My front brake is very tight on the disc.  I'm trying to remove it for maintenance but it will not pull off.  Do I need to bleed the brakes?

Bobbert wrote on 08/06/09 at 12:45:01:


You can in wiggle the caliper about after unbolting it and take it off.
Bleeding in many cases is not quite going to do what you think it will.
You open the bleed screw and wiggle the caliper, it will pump the slave cylinder out. Then you have to refill and re bleed after you change pads.
The wiggling and getting it out usually can be followed by a push in of the piston in the caliper and get it to get back ...
Oh ... while doing this, remove the top of the master cyl, else the air will not let you get it retracted @ the caliper.
So, remove th top on the master cyl, then unbolt and wiggle the caliper out, then push the piston in ... dont over do it, just enough to get the new pads on. If you ever see fluid @ the caliper then you have to reseal it. Not fun.
Cool.
Srinath.

Most likely stuck mechanically, either the slides for the side that doesn't have the piston, or the piston.  You need to locate the problem and fix it.  Bleeding won't help.  A pry bar will work.

If hydraulically locked, it could be a defect in the brake hose (liner separated from the outer part of the hose) or the master cylinder (at the reservoir).  Bleeding will work.  Renew the bad part.