Suspected Siezed Calipers

[rocky 0]

Hi Guys,

 

When i apply moderately hard brakes, the car goes quite severely to the left. Having spoke to a mechanic he suggested the calipers were siezed, and that i need new pads all round and the calipers recondioned.

 

There is no wobble or pull on the steering, but the car goes sharply to the left. I am assuming the right calipers are at fault?

 

Would the siezed caliper diagnosis be correct?

 

Thanks

[brianthemagical 1]

it's probably your left front, not right. i'd say it's siezed, happened in my 205 derv.

[rocky 0]

How exactly are calipers reconditoned?

 

My mechanic says leaving them in petrol overnight is one technique and the rust will be removed.

 

I imagine they seize because of rust?

also what should he charge me to recondition one caliper? (i will also get the pads changed)

 

any help greatly appreciated.

Edited May 22, 2007 by rocky

[Jrod 7]

They will also need all new seals.

 

Your best bet is to get some good second hand ones.

[Ahl 4]

Is your car a 1.9 GTI, or does it have a 1.9 GTI brake circuit?

 

If so, then I think its more likely to be a seized rear brake compensator thats your problem. There is one on each brake line running to the rear of the car, and when they fail, they give results like you have described.

 

Its fairly common on 1.9's.

[rocky 0]

Hi Ahl,

 

Yep i have the 1.9gti brakes.

 

I never considered the rear compensators, is there a way of checking these for sure? (so that i can rule out the siezed calipers)

 

Thanks

[hengti 2]

is it pulling from the front or pushing you about from the rear?

 

it's going to be the fronts if you're being pulled about - or the rears/compensators if it feels as though the car is trying to slide from the rear.

[rocky 0]

is it pulling from the front or pushing you about from the rear?

 

it's going to be the fronts if you're being pulled about - or the rears/compensators if it feels as though the car is trying to slide from the rear.

 

Hi Mate,

 

Yep i think it is definately the front which is going to the left.

A stupid question but does the front have compenstators or is just likely to be one of the front calipers being siezed?

[hengti 2]

the compensators are for the rear only.

 

to diagnose which caliper is sticking, you'll get a definitive indication by taking the pads out (one side at a time) and having an assistant slowly press the pedal to see which one's sticking.

 

if you can't get a second hand replacement, they're about £50 each new (GSF/ECP etc) - best to replace new front calipers in pairs though (IMO) otherwise any laziness in the one that seems OK at the moment will be shown up by the new caliper.

 

that said, you might be able to get away with giving the brakes a good work out on the road and see if that frees it off.

[BamBamGTI 0]

Take your calipers into GSF and they will trade them for reconditioned units. They cost about £50 each for the trade in (happened to me, my rear cali handbrake adjuster seized) and they give you nice shiny new ones! If its the front change both though. If I was you I would probably take the oppertunity to upgrade to 306 calipers as both need changing.

[rocky 0]

Hi Mate,

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Another abbreviation question: Who are GSF?

 

I have not heard of this company before, and do they have branches all over the midlands?

 

One other question will 306 calipers offer more performance?

Edited May 30, 2007 by rocky

[rocky 0]

Ok, ignore last question!

 

I know what GSF car parts are, and they do have branches in my city too.

 

I used another company called Oscott (for trades people) and they have similar if not the same prices on gti and BX16 valve parts.

 

My mechanic said he can recondition calipers by putting them in petrol over nite, polishing them and replacing seals, i havent asked him how much he charges but if it is alot i might as well get the reconditioned ones from GSF and save all the hassle.

 

Also, not sure about puting calipers into petrol is the best idea. But then i am not experiences with this.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Hi Ahl,

 

Yep i have the 1.9gti brakes.

 

I never considered the rear compensators, is there a way of checking these for sure? (so that i can rule out the siezed calipers)

 

Thanks

 

You could get it on a brake testing unit - MOT station should have one.

Or remove flexi hose from rear caliper and apply pressure to pedal. When mine failed fluid wasn't coming out.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

My mechanic said he can recondition calipers by putting them in petrol over nite, polishing them and replacing seals, i havent asked him how much he charges but if it is alot i might as well get the reconditioned ones from GSF and save all the hassle.

 

Also, not sure about puting calipers into petrol is the best idea. But then i am not experiences with this.

 

Buy a seal kit.

Strip caliper down and push out piston.

Clean it all up.

Put new seal on and lightly smear piston with brake fluid and push back in.

[brianthemagical 1]

the way i tested (accidentally) my 205 n/a derv brakes was by trying to brake hard. it only left one skid mark, indicating that (a front one) was the problem. it did almost put me in a hedge and then in the other one when i came off the brakes, but as said before it was accidentally.

[BamBamGTI 0]

German Swedish French (GSF)