Brakes : Rebuild or Replace?

Right my 200's rear driverside caliper appears to be seized and completly jambs solid if i try to reverse, and squeels like a stuck piggy when moving. Wheel was steaming hot when I noticed it far too hot to touch after a seven mile jorney with no harsh braking. So the question is do I replace the caliper with a new one and then do the discs and pads (F&R)? Or for not a lot more rebuild all the calipers on the car with stainless steel pistons and new seals.

Anyone now how quick paddocks express delivery service is?

There was a similar thread on here recently. I personally would go with the new seals and stainless steel pistons route.

However, if the caliper has been stuck on that badly then you will need to replace the disc on that caliper because it is likely to have been 'blued' with the heat.

surely it would be cheaper just to renew your seals and pistons then fit new pads provived the discs are ok

Discs all round look pretty dodgy so I think I'll be doing them anyway. The one in question is definatly blued.

Could the heat build up of damaged the caliper?

Anyone now how quick paddocks express delivery service is?[/quote]



i ordered pistons and seals last friday from paddocks, arrived on monday, can't complain about that, four pistons and all the seals for the rear calipers and postage was less than 30 quid, can't remember the exact amount but i though it was reasonable

chipv8 said:

Could the heat build up of damaged the caliper?

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Heat build up, especially if it's enough to blue the disc, can cause all sorts of other problems, including distorting the calipers and boiling the brake fluid.

Personally I'd do a full disc/piston/seal change and replace the brake fluid. Not hard to do, just time-consuming and easier with a pressure bleeder or some help ...

I'd also check the hub, wheel bearings for grease and wheel studs ... heat can destroy the studlock ..

Hi chipV8, the problem was because the pistons were not backing off after braking (i'm sure you know that). But now if the caliper was as hot as you say the pistons may be 'welded' into the caliper.

So before you go and buy the stainless pistons etc make sure the existing pistons can be removed, by removing the pad and then pressing the brake peddle and if they move out towards the disk then ok but what ever happens you are of the road.

Thanks for the comments I've ordered a replacement Caliper, a Front discs pad kit and a rear disc pad kit. Hopefully that should get me moving again, will consider the stainless steel piston upgrade at a later date.
Bleediing brakes is gonna be fun :Cry:

your be suprised hwo easy they are to bleed they are nearly self bleeding but not quite !!

get an easy bleed kit from any car spares place, you can do it on your own...