I just bought a 1988 GXL with 103k on it, body is in good shape and the engine is sound, however I was coming home one night and had noticed the brakes acting a little funny earlier in the day, a few hours later the front right caliper locked up and sent me all over the road, shredded the rotor and im waiting to hear what else.. any idea why this would happen and why it was so violent?

 

if the caliper piston boots were torn and not providing dust protection, any crud could work its way into the piston chamber and make them sieze up.