Sliding calipers that errr dont?!

[interloper]

Currently I'm trying to sort out the brakes on my old Citreon ZX runabout. Decided the brakes felt poor so I would check over the system. On doing so I found the bottom sliders on both front sliding calipers dont move (the top ones do). Am I right in assuming this is incorrect and that both top and bottom should have movement and can you strip clean, lubricate and replace the little rubber gaitors or is it better to replace the units instead?

[Classic Grad 98]

Yep- you'll be able to pull the rubber boots off the pins then withdraw the pins once the caliper is off it's carrier. Then it's a simple case of ensuring they're clean and free from corrosion, then lubricating them with some high melting point grease (I had some clutch spline grease handy). Also, remove the pads from the carrier and wire brush the surfaces where the pads slide in the carrier. Apply some Coppaslip here too.
My calipers weren't sliding and it turned out to be one of the pads rusted solid into the carrier, preventing the other pad being brought into contact with the disc!

[interloper]

Thanks, that is pretty much what I thought, just waiting for new rubber gaitors to arrive before I put everything back together.