Bakes100 20 1 Cars Posted January 25, 2008 Hi Im having a bit of a problem with my drivers side rear caliper. It has been binding while driving and causing the wheel to get hot, it started to smell at one point so i took the caliper off and greased the sliders so it moved nice and freely, it generally looked in good condition. I also replaced the brake cable for that side, but i used a Nearside cable as this was all that was available. The old cable also looked like a nearside one as it was the same length, i have been told the drivers side cable is usually slightly longer than the passenger side one, could this be causing my caliper to bind?? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest rich205 Posted January 25, 2008 Try replacing the rubber flexible hose to the calliper. What can happen is that the hose can collapse internally causing a restriction. The pressure generated by pressing the brake pedal is sufficient to overcome the restriction, but when the pedal is released pressure is retained on the calliper side of the restriction causing the calliper to remain dragging on the disc. Rich Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted January 25, 2008 it's also worth checking that the handbrake mechanism arm is free and well lubricated and that the piston is also free from any stiffness (need to remove the pads to check) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bakes100 20 1 Cars Posted January 30, 2008 After having a look at the brakes i have fitted new discs and pads and two new handbrake cables! The flexi hoses look pretty new anyway. After fitting all this and spinning the wheel it spun fine but when i press the brake pedal and released it the wheel wouldnt turn, but after about 20 seconds of trying it would start to spin again. It doesnt seem like the caliper as this also looks reasonably new and the rubbers look good, also if i put on the handbrake and then let it off the wheel spins easily. Could a knackered compensator cause the piston to not return properly?? as i dont want to go out and by one if there is nothing wrong with it. Is there any way of testing it?? Hope this makes some kind of sence. thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simes 248 2 Cars Posted January 30, 2008 Try bleeding the brake as when my compensators failed they didn't let any fluid through. If you're getting fluid through then the compensator isn't at fault. Sounds to me that you need to strip the piston out of the caliper and give it a good clean up - new seals perhaps too while your there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bakes100 20 1 Cars Posted February 1, 2008 Yea , i wound back the piston and it wound easily it didnt take much effort at all!, but after a lot of turning the piston didnt seem to have gone in very far compared to the other side which only took a couple of minutes! It seems as tho the caliper is compressing okay as the brake still works fine but it isnt releasing its grip. Could this be the compensator not allowing it back through?? or does the caliper have a separate arrangement inside it for the foot brake, ie not the part that you turn. If that makes sence?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M@tt 77 Posted February 1, 2008 I had dodgy rear flexi pipe that had been damaged by clamping it too hard when removing the caliper once. It looked fine from the outside but inside it was squashed to buggery and you couldn't tell from looking at it. Easiest thing to do is just remove the flexi tape a plastic bag over the end of the brake pipe to stop anymore brake fluid escaping. Give the flexi a good blow through with your mouth(make sure wipe any fluids away from the end ) and check that it feels failry unrestricted, repeat the same with the other side if you feel unsure whether it feels right as it will be a good comparison. That will rule out flexi and then indcate whether it's the compensator or not Just rebleed the brakes when you refit the flexi HTH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simes 248 2 Cars Posted February 1, 2008 TBH sounds like your compensator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bakes100 20 1 Cars Posted February 1, 2008 Ok Cheers guys , well its a new compensator going on in the morning! Ill report back if its successful or not! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bakes100 20 1 Cars Posted February 3, 2008 compensator was the problem, old one looked pretty new tho, seems like it was letting the fluid through okay but just wasnt allowing it back meaning the brake was locked on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
