Handbrake caliper lever

[johnpsanderson]

Posting here as the Kia section seems rather quiet, I guess it’s not a prime PH marque!

The rear o/s brake has started to drag/overheat on my 2013 Kia Ceed estate. The handbrake mechanism on the caliper isn’t releasing fully when the handbrake lever is down (it does when the lever on the caliper is manually pushed back).

Initially I assumed it was down to the cable seizing, so replaced it, but the problem persists. At this point I’m guessing a new caliper is the easiest and most sensible next step, along with refreshing the sliders, but posting here incase I’ve missed anything obvious I should look at instead?

[Peanut Gallery]

Not much help, but I would unclip the handbrake cable from the caliper, and check the cable is moving freely (Focus had rusted the cable and this was holding the brake on) and I would also check when you pull the lever on the caliper it pulls back nicely.

(In short - I suspect the caliper is sticking somehow - if so, replace whole caliper and not fight to just replace the springs or something)

[The Road Crew]

Caliper won't be expensive, whilst you could rebuild it or free off the sticky mechanism (for how long?!)......but I'd just chuck a caliper on it if it were mine, much quicker, easier, and a more reliable job.

[johnpsanderson]

Thanks chaps, new caliper best as I suspected then. Looking at c.150-200 from the local motor factors, so now trying to unpick what is/isn’t looking trustworthy around the various online suppliers…

[The Road Crew]

I'd be tempted by a used one from a breakers/ebay. Circa £25.

[imck]

I have been using this supplier for many Years for Calipers, Disks and Pads.

Good Prices and Service
I have guessed that yours is a Diesel?

https://brakeparts.co.uk/shop/KIA/Ceed/12-18/Ceed%...

[Smint]

Suggest a good dousing of Plus Gas or similar penetrating oil (not WD40) on the caliper bolts several times over several days before you come to replace the caliper.
The bolts get seriously rusted in, and if i recall correctly (been about 5 years so don't quote me) the same bolts do more that just secure the calipers in place, also check there isn't something else that has to be undone (apart from the obvious brake pipes) that might need penetrating oil pre soaking, can't recall exactly what is involved now but the job wasn't quite as straighforward as most others.
That was an earlier model circa 2008 Ceed, so design might have changed.

[johnpsanderson]

imck said:

I have been using this supplier for many Years for Calipers, Disks and Pads.

Good Prices and Service
I have guessed that yours is a Diesel?

https://brakeparts.co.uk/shop/KIA/Ceed/12-18/Ceed%...

Thanks for the recommendation, exactly what I ordered last night after a couple of hours trying to free up the lever with WD40 (whilst carefully shielding the rest of the brake components).

Slider pins etc all look in good shape, the caliper came off no problem, so hopefully the new one will go on relatively easily.