Focus Mk1 handbrake sticking at caliper - fixable?

[MajorMantra]

The handbrake mechanism on my OS caliper is sticking, meaning that it doesn't work at all. On the NS caliper it springs back of its own accord as it should, but the OS one only moves when I whack it with something. As a result, the handbrake is totally ineffective on the left side, while it works fine on the right.

I've found plenty of posts about similar problems, but none giving a fix other than replacing than caliper. Is there any way I might unstick it?

[steveo3002]

getting at the lever and working it back n forth with some grips might get it working for a while , for a caliper costs its just as well to replace it

[MajorMantra]

Will have to have a go. It's not so much the cost of the caliper putting me off, more the faff of bleeding (never done it before).

[PositronicRay]

Actually bleeding your brakes is the easiest bit.

Get a couple of ltrs of fluid and a Gunsons Eezybleed and the jobs a goodun.

Congratulate your self at saving the money on a fluid change @ a garage, it's probably due anyway.

[steveo3002]

yeah dont fear it , gunson easy bleed is like £15 or so , just dont let fluid get onto the paintwork

[AdamIndy]

Is the spring still on the handbrake arm?

If it is then lob it and put a new one on. They are very easy to change. Bleeding is very easy too. If you have a mate to push the pedal then you don't even need an easibleed.

[MajorMantra]

You're right, I should probably man up and do it. Yesterdays bruising experience with stuck carrier bolts has dampened my enthusiasm slightly though... (Much swearing and pounding with a hammer freed them, eventually.)

The spring is indeed still attached. But I think the lever is too stiff for a new spring to help, I can only move it with a hammer.

[Locknut]

MajorMantra said:

... I can only move it with a hammer.

Are you using a penetrating oil? That should free it up.

[AdamIndy]

Recon calipers are cheap. Sub £50 iirc. You get money back if you send your old one back to them too so really is a cheap fix. I had to replace one on mine.

Look on YouTube for brake bleeding advice. It really is easy. I know it's daunting being the stopping force of your car, many years ago I used to hate touching brakes but they are a very very simple system.

[MajorMantra]

Locknut said:

Are you using a penetrating oil? That should free it up.

I've got plusgas, but without knowing exactly how the caliper is constructed I'm wary of just blasting it about. Don't want it near the pads/pistons.

[MajorMantra]

AdamIndy said:

Recon calipers are cheap. Sub £50 iirc. You get money back if you send your old one back to them too so really is a cheap fix. I had to replace one on mine.

Look on YouTube for brake bleeding advice. It really is easy. I know it's daunting being the stopping force of your car, many years ago I used to hate touching brakes but they are a very very simple system.

Reckon something like this will be ok?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REAR-LEFT-BRAKE-CALIPER-...

...Or should I be looking elsewhere for genuine recon units?

[steveo3002]

that caliper should be fine

if you want to try the plus gas , then look at the caliper , its a basic idea where the cable will pull on a lever to work the brake ...study the lever and you will see the pivot point where it moves or should move on , you need to get the oil into that point then work it back n forth , more oil and so on

if you plan to run the car a couple more years then the new caliper is the best move

[AdamIndy]

MajorMantra said:

AdamIndy said:

Recon calipers are cheap. Sub £50 iirc. You get money back if you send your old one back to them too so really is a cheap fix. I had to replace one on mine.

Look on YouTube for brake bleeding advice. It really is easy. I know it's daunting being the stopping force of your car, many years ago I used to hate touching brakes but they are a very very simple system.

Reckon something like this will be ok?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REAR-LEFT-BRAKE-CALIPER-...

...Or should I be looking elsewhere for genuine recon units?

That is the exact one I bought. Same company too I think. Mine has been on 2 or 3 years and its been fine. Still silver too!

[MajorMantra]

Cheers gents. Got a caliper on order.

[melhookv12]

Have you checked it's not the cable that is seized?

[MajorMantra]

Cable is definitely moving, although I'm not 100% sure it's fully free. The lever is clearly stuck however - quite obviously so when compared to the other side.

[MajorMantra]

Update, because I like it when people follow up these threads...

Replacement caliper has done the trick, and bleeding went ok. I think the pedal might be a teensy bit softer than it used to be, but everything is working.

Another job I can do!

[AdamIndy]

Job well done.

It's the same with most jobs on cars, don't read too much about it. Just do it. Everyone has horror stories of how difficult a job is to do. The only way to learn is to do it yourself.