Braking problem

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:40 pm

This is the second occasion that the psgr side front brakes have binded. The 1st time hard & sudden braking & applying the handbrake quite a few times seemed to clear up the problem. However, i never investigated whether it was either the caliper or the handbrake cable.

I'm going to have a look at the problem this weekend (weather permitting) & was hoping that someone could provide some guidance on how to spot what the actual issue is?

Just to give you an idea of how on the brakes were, the car pulled to the left & when i lifted off the throttle the car would slow down very quickly as though i was braking as normal even without touching the brake pedal. Not sure if that helps with a diagnosis?

I do have a brand new handbrake cable & caliper in my stores, & although i have changed brake pads i've never undertaken any work on these 2 areas before, so any guidance would be great.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:00 pm

MULLEY wrote:
Just to give you an idea of how on the brakes were, the car pulled to the left & when i lifted off the throttle the car would slow down very quickly as though i was braking as normal even without touching the brake pedal. Not sure if that helps with a diagnosis?

Have you fitted the brake pads the wrong way round? Two are notched to locate in the piston each side and two are plain, a pair is one of each. It is possible to wrongly fit 2 plain to nearside and 2 notched to offside or vice versa. Result is that the piston on one side is closer to the disc than the other and if your caliper slide is sticky too then it could bind that side.
It also could have knock on effects on squeaking, uneven pad wear and also the efficiency of handbrake adjustment.
I would add that it also sounds as if the opposite side has problems too with not gripping as hard as the other and this could be also a sticking slide that side or air in the caliper.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:12 pm

Good point, however as i'm shite at mechanical work, i pay particular attention to how things come apart so i'm 100% confident that i've fitted them correctly. I did the pads around May last year & havent had any problems except in about the last month.

Last time i checked brake pad wear, they were pretty even on both sides. Its either the handbrake cable jammed on that side or a slider thats not moving.

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:55 am

...or a sticky/siezed caliper! Remove h/brake cable and spin the hub (or try to!)

demag · Post by **demag** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:27 pm

All this snow and rain might just be enough to stick one caliper. Probably a good clean and a dab of copperslip on the slider might sort it.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:39 pm

This time of year - and particularly this year - there's a lot more loose stuff on the road than at any other (principally grit). I wouldn't be surprised if there was somthing stuck somewhere in the caliper, or between disc and pad, or even an accumulation of the loose stuff. Keep a wire brush to hand as you dismantle.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:04 pm

Unfortunately my mechanic was too busy to have a look at it this sat, so i guess i'm in at the deep end for trying to work out what to do.

Any tips on what proceedures i need to follow regarding inspection/taking apart either the handbrake cable & the caliper?

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:57 am

I'm sure there's a good write up on here somewhere about strippage and rebuildage of calipers?

I'm really not trying to belittle you here mate, really I'm not, but if you're not 100% confident I'd leave it until your mechanic can have a look.

Brakes are never worth taking a risk with.
After all, having a car that wont go is embarrasing, having one that wont stop is bloody lethal.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:06 pm

Stripping, rebuilding

nah, thats not for me

I've already got a nice shiny new caliper ready to fit....

Funnily enough, thought i would try & drive the car round the street, before starting off (left the handbrake off overnight), stamped on the brake pedal quite hard a few times, then tentatively drove off, no problem???

Perhaps i've unstuck it for the mo, either way it does require further investigation, but at least i can use the car now.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:03 am

Jumped in the car today seeing as brakes were sorted from previous day. Switch ignition on, wait til i hear the glow plug relay go thunk, try & turn engine over, barely makes one turn & then followed by some clicking sounds.

Wouldnt bleedin fire up. Central locking works, dash lights work, glow plugs work, even tried the headlights.

Is this a possible earth issue & is it that metal strap thats attached to the gearbox? Is it a case of just cleaning the contact points?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:09 am

Sounds to me like a flat battery. Do the headlights work? and do they go dim when you try to engage the starter?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:13 am

I'll have to try. The battery is only a couple of months old, so it had better not be. Anyway of checking whether the alternator is working correctly?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:21 am

Yup but only once you've got it started.

Once it's running, simply disconnect one of the battery leads. If it stops, the alternator is goosed.

You don't think it's because it's been stood a few days?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:30 am

I cant believe of being stood for a few days that a brand new battery would just pack in? Cheers for the tip on checking the alternator Ken, i'll try jumpstarting the bugger. I'll report back on my findings.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:32 am

Neither can I but it depends if there's anything draining it

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