Leaky brake caliper.... Is this unusual?

Leaky brake caliper.... Is this unusual?

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Discussion

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

246 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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I'm confused. How does brake fluid get involved with the hand brake mechanism?

dave_s13

Original Poster:

13,814 posts

269 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Ozzie Osmond said:
I'm confused. How does brake fluid get involved with the hand brake mechanism?
I think it's because on these the handbrake actuates the pads on the disc, not on shoes within the disc (like in a lot of other cars).

In the pic the nut on the far left holds on the actuator arm for the handbrake which the cable attaches to. The actuator arm is then connected to some kind spindle/plunger device that acts on the piston. These don't have internal shoes.

It's the seal between that spindle and the outside world that's defective. So when you press the brake pedal or move the handbrake actuator arm fluids seeps out from the area of the left most nut.



Not the caliper in question but you can see the handbrake actuator and there are a few seals involved. I'm guessing one of those has gone.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

246 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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OK, ta.

spaximus

4,231 posts

253 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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As with all things there are good and bad recon units. I will not name manes but the good ones will fully strip and measure everything. The will replace moving parts and seals as procedure, but with all things with a manual content, it is easy to nick a seal when reassembling.

Again the good ones will do a pressure test, some use air, others fluid and if there was a leak then it would go back to be redone.

What happens when the unit is fitted the lever moves and finishes off the seal. When you see what quality reconditioners do it is astounding how cheap they can be.

e600

1,328 posts

152 months

Friday 6th May 2016
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PositronicRay said:
Do Cortinas have rear calipers?
Rear disc conversion carried out