xyzpaul

Just got home from work, and I found one of my rear discs was very hot. Car is an MY99 with std brakes. I guess it is either a partially seized caliper, or something has gone wrong with the handbrake mechanism.

Any ideas (with idiot-proof how-to-fix instructions please)? Cheers.

xyzpaul

The piston is pretty well seized as when I slid the half caliper up the piston didn't move out naturally, and after I had pumped the brake I had real trouble getting the piston back in so I could refit the caliper.

I told the dealers this, and they said the piston can't be freed up, so a new caliper is needed at a cool £270+VAT

It is worth me trying to free it, or do I need to stump up the cash?

RON

If you have moved the piston slightly, it should be re-maovable, and a rebuild kit would be an awful lot less than a new caliper, dealers just like to unbolt parts and bolt on new ones thats the trouble...... is there a specialist locally that could take a look for you...... the dealer is trying to rob you....!

ozzy

Agree with RON. Any decent garage could repair it rather than replace it. I had some pistons stick solid recently. Garaged tried some compressed air in the caliper but had to resort to giving it some heat to finally shift it. Some TLC and a £25 repair kit (new dust seals and grease) from any Subaru dealer (or likes if GGR or Roger Clark) should see any caliper as good as new.

Stefan

xyzpaul

Cheers guys. The seals kit (part no 26697) is £46+VAT from my nearest dealers (Bell+Colville) - are they having a laugh?

xyzpaul

I'm going to have another go at freeing the piston. Is it possible I could pump the brake so much that the piston will come out, causing fluid to leak?

RON

Not with the caliper on the disc no, unless you remove the pads, if the caliper is removed, then yes, you should be able to pump the piston out with the pedal....

xyzpaul

Cheers. Another stupid question... roughly how many times would I need to depress the brake pedal before the piston came out? I don't have the knowledge or tools to clamp the hoses or bleed the brakes, so I'm paranoid about cocking this job up!

RON

IFg you're that worried about doing it, then i'd advise getting someone else to do it for you, someone who know's brakes...... they are a vital saftey feature on the car.....

xyzpaul

I managed to free the piston last night, so feeling pretty chuffed Followed advice here and in a PM from ticky, i.e. to pump the piston out, wipe out any muck from behind dust seal, spray WD40 behind dust seal, push piston back with padded G-clamp, and repeat this procedure a few times. To guarantee I didn't pump the piston right out of the caliper I removed the inner brake pad so that the piston would pump to the disk but no further.

Cheers for the advice everyone. The power of Scoobynet!

RON

Indeed... just be aware though, that if it stuck that badly once, it will do it again, so best get a rebuild kit and get them done soon-ish i'd say.....

xyzpaul

Agree - I plan to get both rears overhauled at an independent garage in the next couple of months.

awd wrx

Godspeed recondition calipers front and rear for £150 a pair , any colour you want