siezed/sticky rear brake caliper

[S6 Devil]

I have a speed related squealing which I think is a seized/sticky caliper. My mechanic came this morning to listen to the noise but sods law nothing. I then took it for a run and once warmed up, back came the noise.

How do I unstick it, does it just need the pads removing, a clean up and some anti seize compound and copper grease applying?

[m4tti]

Copper grease on the back of the pad can stop squeal.

Have you jacked the car up and rotated each wheel to determine if the Caliper is actually seizing or not.

[S6 Devil]

No, I haven't jacked the car up yet. The reason I am thinking it is a seized/sticky caliper is that the squealing is speed related and stops when I apply the brakes.

The car has been in the garage over winter for a few months and hence unused. The handbrake was left off so can't be that.

It seems that when the brakes warm up the piston is sticking keeping the pad slightly in contact with the disc. Not sure how to sort this.

Will it just unstick eventually, should I get the pads off, apply anti seize compound and copper grease or do I need the calipers refurbishing/replacing?

I'm hoping it's going to be a cheap and simple solution!!

[m4tti]

Try and establish whether its binding at rest and go from there.

[330p4]

Push the piston back into the caliper YOU HAVE TO ROTATE THEM The tool is quite cheap edit sorry assumed it was a rear
Ian

Edited by 330p4 on Monday 19th March 19:32

[S6 Devil]

330p4 said:

Push the piston back into the caliper YOU HAVE TO ROTATE THEM The tool is quite cheap edit sorry assumed it was a rear
Ian

Edited by 330p4 on Monday 19th March 19:32

I'm pretty sure it is a rear. Not had time to look at it properly yet. Cheers!

[Fimbo]

I had same problem about 3 weeks ago in the same circumstances (car left in garage with handbrake off for 2-3 months). The sticking (o/s/r) caliper was picked up during an MOT. The advice I received (which worked) was to go for a run and really work the brakes hard. I found an empty stretch of road with good sight lines so I could ensure no one was around and then having gained a modest amount of speed (you dont need to go mad) I stamped down hard on the brakes and repeated this several times. Result was that on repeat test, the brake was fine. Worth a try if you havent already tried this before you incur expense!

[S6 Devil]

Fimbo said:

I had same problem about 3 weeks ago in the same circumstances (car left in garage with handbrake off for 2-3 months). The sticking (o/s/r) caliper was picked up during an MOT. The advice I received (which worked) was to go for a run and really work the brakes hard. I found an empty stretch of road with good sight lines so I could ensure no one was around and then having gained a modest amount of speed (you dont need to go mad) I stamped down hard on the brakes and repeated this several times. Result was that on repeat test, the brake was fine. Worth a try if you havent already tried this before you incur expense!

Thanks mate, I will take it for a blast on Saturday and try this. I'm sure it should loosen up with time but would like it sorted asap!