Brake Catching!
Discussion
Hi all, just need a bit of advice on my Ford Focus as it is driving me a little insane. I have a problem with my passenger side brakes. When driving for a few miles I find the car is sluggish and found out that the culprit was my passenger side brake. It seems to be catching as one wheel is mad hot and smells of burning. Me and my mate have done 2 things:
-Cleaned the calliper pins by sanding lightly with wet and dry so that the calliper moves freely and applied grease to the pins
-Cleaned round the calliper piston and sprayed silicone spray in the rubber that protects the piston. I have tested the piston and it does move back and fourth so it does seem to be working.
I have also noticed that the passenger side inner pad has uneven wear. Could this be the problem? I just don’t want to be throwing loads of money at it and still have the issue there!
I was thinking of having one last try at cleaning the calliper piston as I know that the slightest grain of dirt could make it catch as there isn’t much clearance between the pad and disc.
Just need to sort this soon as I need the car for work and it’s so impractical living without a car! Sorry for going on but need to be clear about the issue. Your advice is appreciated. Thank you
-Cleaned the calliper pins by sanding lightly with wet and dry so that the calliper moves freely and applied grease to the pins
-Cleaned round the calliper piston and sprayed silicone spray in the rubber that protects the piston. I have tested the piston and it does move back and fourth so it does seem to be working.
I have also noticed that the passenger side inner pad has uneven wear. Could this be the problem? I just don’t want to be throwing loads of money at it and still have the issue there!
I was thinking of having one last try at cleaning the calliper piston as I know that the slightest grain of dirt could make it catch as there isn’t much clearance between the pad and disc.
Just need to sort this soon as I need the car for work and it’s so impractical living without a car! Sorry for going on but need to be clear about the issue. Your advice is appreciated. Thank you
'Binding' is the word you are looking for, 'catching' infers something quite different.
You should not be spraying silicon into the brake seals, the only lubricant that can safely be used here is red rubber grease.
Did you pump out the caliper piston most of the way whilst the caliper was off the car, and if so how easy was it to press back in?
You should not be spraying silicon into the brake seals, the only lubricant that can safely be used here is red rubber grease.
Did you pump out the caliper piston most of the way whilst the caliper was off the car, and if so how easy was it to press back in?
Thanks for replying. Had my mate round last night to give the piston another clean and the only thing we had was WD-40.
I heard it's not the best thing to use but hey ho that's all we had and the motor factors was shut.
I did notice more rust and dirt coming out of the piston and from what i could see my mate made the piston come out more but not fully out.
He did say that the piston was going back in with ease with the clamp he used but then he didnt open the brake fluid reservoir which maybe could have made things even more easier? i've been told it's best to do that.
I have driven it today and it was fine so fingers crossed. I'm not holding my breath though as last time he cleaned it it was fine for a few days and then i was having the same problem.
He says that the caliper is working 100% and if it does it again he said disc and pads need changing as he thinks when the piston seized the first time it has mad the pads mis shape as the disc looks like it's warp a little. Just dont want to get new pads and discs if it isnt that!
I heard it's not the best thing to use but hey ho that's all we had and the motor factors was shut.
I did notice more rust and dirt coming out of the piston and from what i could see my mate made the piston come out more but not fully out.
He did say that the piston was going back in with ease with the clamp he used but then he didnt open the brake fluid reservoir which maybe could have made things even more easier? i've been told it's best to do that.
I have driven it today and it was fine so fingers crossed. I'm not holding my breath though as last time he cleaned it it was fine for a few days and then i was having the same problem.
He says that the caliper is working 100% and if it does it again he said disc and pads need changing as he thinks when the piston seized the first time it has mad the pads mis shape as the disc looks like it's warp a little. Just dont want to get new pads and discs if it isnt that!
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