Seized caliper - temp fix?
Discussion
Traded my old car a week ago, due to hand it over and pick up the replacement next week. Of course this morning a loud squealing and a very hot wheel & brake disk announced that my left rear brake caliper seems to have seized
Replaced the front calipers last year which cost quite a few hundred euros. Not keen on replacing any more with only 7 days of ownership remaining. Any easy steps to try and temporarily "unseize" it until it's taken off my hands?
Replaced the front calipers last year which cost quite a few hundred euros. Not keen on replacing any more with only 7 days of ownership remaining. Any easy steps to try and temporarily "unseize" it until it's taken off my hands?
Not too many details in your post, but i have seen this to be common in a lot of rear brake disc and caliper standard setups.
As mentioned in an earlier post, try cleaning the sliders, sometimes a build up of dirt and rust can seize these.
Second, I would remove the caliper from the hub, just as you would to service the brakes, and support the caliper so there is no strain on the brake hose.
Depending on the type of caliper you may need a "wind back" tool, but if its a standard "push" piston you can use a G clamp or wide jaw vise grips,
start by carefully peeling back the protective rubber around the piston and spray WD-40 or similar freeing oil then push the piston into the caliper slowly with the clamp/vise grip/wind back tool, then have a friend slowly push the piston out using the brake pedal.
Repeat until the piston is free again.
I would highly recommend you ask a qualified mechanic to do or supervise this job, as the brakes are a major part of your safety in a car.
As mentioned in an earlier post, try cleaning the sliders, sometimes a build up of dirt and rust can seize these.
Second, I would remove the caliper from the hub, just as you would to service the brakes, and support the caliper so there is no strain on the brake hose.
Depending on the type of caliper you may need a "wind back" tool, but if its a standard "push" piston you can use a G clamp or wide jaw vise grips,
start by carefully peeling back the protective rubber around the piston and spray WD-40 or similar freeing oil then push the piston into the caliper slowly with the clamp/vise grip/wind back tool, then have a friend slowly push the piston out using the brake pedal.
Repeat until the piston is free again.
I would highly recommend you ask a qualified mechanic to do or supervise this job, as the brakes are a major part of your safety in a car.
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