Caliper slider query - bit sticky!!

[sleep envy]

I had to change the rear pads on my A3 as they were down to 2mm.

I noticed that the O/S/R slider had got stuck. I imagine that because the pad wore so much and, suspecting that the pads are still the original ones, it's never needed to be pushed back. After a few whacks of a rubber mallet it loosened up but no where near as free and the N/S/R.

The pads are in and the car brakes fine (I'm guessing from the feel but they still need to bed in) but will I need to strip and rebuild it?

The car has done 52k miles (mostly motorway) and it's a 54 plate.

[Sam_68]

Yes.

You can get slider kits for most calipers for a few quid, but if you're feeling especially poverty stricken, just stripping everything down, cleaning and lubricating to the point that the caliper slides freely will usually do the job.

[sleep envy]

thanks, I think I'll be able to strecth to affording a few quid for a kit

[Sam_68]

Probably an obvious comment, but you're also best doing both sides at once, otherwise you can end up finding that the slider you've stripped/replaced now works better than the one that seemed fine before.

[Busa_Rush]

I use http://www.brakes-international.co.uk/

Just looked and a recon caliper for an A3 2.0 TDI is only £80. Bargain.

[HRG.]

Solvol > Copper grease. Job's a good un.

[Sam_68]

Busa_Rush said:

Just looked and a recon caliper for an A3 2.0 TDI is only £80. Bargain.

Not bad, I must admit - but you'd probably still want to do both of them, and you'd have to bleed the brakes (and possibly want to replace the hoses) while you're at it. And if it's only the slider that's sticking a bit...

Last time I bought any slider kits (admittedly a few years ago and for a Vauxhall), they were £8 a side.

Or as HRG says, suitable solvent, a dab of grease and a bit of time and patience and you're sorted for another 30K miles for just about nothing.