Mk1 BX 19RD Estate RHD! A new home

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:17 pm

Hmmm. I can't get the rear seat back to fold. Somehow, and I'm not sure how, the handle on the top has taken a whack at some point, but it does seem to be operating. Yet it won't release. I need to transport a door tomorrow (not convinced it was actually going to fit in the BX anyway) so I guess it'll be roof back on the 2CV and in through the top!

I guess I can undo the catches to fold the seat, but that seems a short-term fix!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:53 pm

Oh dear. More woes. I fear my super-braking efforts earlier in the week have left the offside front caliper binding. I did suspect it was already a bit, er, suspect, but it's now a bit worse. Had a quick look and I suspect it's the piston that's the problem. Reckon I'll have any joy trying to prise it out and clean it or is a refurb kit on the cards? I think the sliders are behaving themselves.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:58 pm

Handbrake adjusters out too far? Try screwing the cylinders back in, then the hydraulics should eliminate the gap first.

I take it that you bled any air out of the caliper?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 2:10 pm

It's binding even if I disconnect the handbrake cable, so I'm assuming that isn't the issue. The piston looks fairly corroded to be fair.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:47 pm

De-rust & plenty of copperslip until you either get a repair kit or a caliper, that should keep it from being seized until sorted properly.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:45 pm

Worth a go. I've actually got some proper caliper grease. Is copper grease safe for caliper seals?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:50 pm

No idea, but i suspect the seals will probably be old anyway so you'll want to replace them as well?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:55 pm

MULLEY wrote:No idea, but i suspect the seals will probably be old anyway so you'll want to replace them as well?

Yeah, I would do. Just occurred to me that I don't know if copper grease is safe. I know regular oil is meant to be a bad idea. I shall have a good look tomorrow.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:23 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:It's binding even if I disconnect the handbrake cable, so I'm assuming that isn't the issue. The piston looks fairly corroded to be fair.

The handbrake adjuster stays set even with the handbrake cable disconnected. It's probably not the fault however. More likely: \/

A possibility associated with this is if the brake pads have been inserted the wrong way round. ie Only one of the pads has a notch on the back and that must engage with the notch on the cylinder. The none notched pad should be against the slider casting. Put them in the wrong way round and pads will wear faster and the pads will remain constantly more tightly in contact with the disc. "Ticking" noises also may emanate from the disc at slow speed.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:11 pm

Brake pads are the right way around. Piston not very keen on moving at all. Does it have to be wound back in and if so, how? Most cars I've worked on, it's easy enough to just push the piston back in. It is looking very cruddy.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:41 pm

No pics for ages. This has turned into a Technical Section thread

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:57 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:Brake pads are the right way around. Piston not very keen on moving at all. Does it have to be wound back in and if so, how? Most cars I've worked on, it's easy enough to just push the piston back in. It is looking very cruddy.

Piston won't just push back in. It needs to be screwed back in whilst pushing on it using a screwdriver or similar bar across the slots.

You say piston is cruddy, is it missing its protective boot? Best to clean off the crud before winding it back in, grease it and fit protective boot first then.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 3:27 pm

No protective boot on it, no. Guess that's the problem then!

Sorry for the lack of pics Phil. Maybe I should have lobbed one up of the caliper. I've put the wheel back on now though as I needed to move the car.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 4:14 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:No protective boot on it, no. Guess that's the problem then!

That possibly will constitute an MOT fail under the new regs too. I believe all the boots like on the bottom ball joints etc will be checked for damage (or presence) in the future.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 4:58 pm

That's a sod, as I can't remember seeing one on the other side either. Anyone got a photo of a caliper so I can see what it should look like?