Digsy Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 My rear offside caliper siezed today. Stock J-spec single pot sliding caliper jobby, Bloody thing was red hot (ok, not literally) when I got home and I actually smelled it before I realised what the problem was. Took the thing off the car and double checked that it was the piston rather than the pins, which it was. Both pins were free and the handbrake was operating and releasing correctly. Previously when I changed the rear pads I could compress the piston with my bare hands (grrrrrr) but on this occaision I could not. It also took a bit of effort to get the caliper off the wheel as the pads were clamping on. Anyway, once the caplier was off I used a G-clamp and a block of wood to compress the piston right back to flush with the housing. The gaiter was intact with no fluid leaks visible. I re-assembled the caliper and applied the brake hard two or three times. After this the wheel could still be spun by hand. Took the caplier off again (forgot the anti-rattke springs - doh) and just for the hell of it repeated the whole procedure. Everything seems nice and free now. Havn't driven the car yet so I don't know if it will re-sieze the first time I brake in anger. Using the clamp the piston went back very easliy with no sticking so hopefully there's no huge problem. What do you think? Have I got away with it or am I on the countdown to a new caliper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 If it happens again, rebuild or replace. If it doesn't, call it fixed -Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon F Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 For total peace of mind it may be worth getting new seal kits and rebuilding the calipers. I have a set of j-spec calipers in the garage that you are welcome to borrow while you rebuild yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Ad Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 Yeh mate. Will be worth you rebuilding for piece of mind. mine was sticking and took it back to the garage where i bought it. They tried to fix it but wasnt umtil another garage rebuilt it that they fixed the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 IMHO a rebuild is the only 100% safe option if a calliper has seized. Best to get the kit and rebuild both rears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 It will seize up again, I guarantee. My experience of them is a rebuild kit will not last long, the bores deteriorate. I now stock German rebuilt units indistinguishable from a new caliper in every respect. A lot of people are buying Lexus calipers from UK rebuilders, unaware the piston sizes are quite different and that they will add far too much rear brake bias as a result. These German units are based on an initial batch of genuine MKIV Supra import calipers I furnished them with to get the rebuild process started. I have stock.... Mark Brown had some on his mega Supra a few weeks back, and although his old ones were only partially seized he has commented on what a general improvement they have made to his braking system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 Might as well go UK then !!!!!!! Dude:flame Dev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 Chris..... ......shave them eyebrows buddy ! ! ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 Originally posted by Steve W Chris..... ......shave them eyebrows buddy ! ! ! I dont think thats actually Chris in those photos steve !!!!! Dude:flame Dev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 OH...... SORRY..... I'm not one of the priviliged "Chris's Bathroom Viewee" set yet.... .....never actually seen in person....... MY MISHTOOK ! ! (BTW, that's not ME in MY avatar either....NO...HONEST ! !) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted January 1, 2004 Author Share Posted January 1, 2004 Cheers for the replies guys. Not been able to post until now because of the New Year and I had to wait for the batteries in my keyboard to recharge. I've done a fair bit of driving now since freeing the caliper, including a test run with hard and soft braking and so far it's still OK. I'll keep my eye on it and replace if it does it again. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 (sorry about the dribble Darren ! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted January 1, 2004 Author Share Posted January 1, 2004 Dribble away, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark brown Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 The calipers Chris supplied and fitted are excellent. Although my old ones weree only partially seized, these new ones have made a massive difference. Mark Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 My rear calipers seized so I took them apart, cleaned em and put em back together with new seals and grease. When you take em apart you can see that they are just naturally old and no amount of refurb will be better than a new set. For all the hassle I went through of refurbing them I will buy new next time. Either from CW or an after market company. Cheers J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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