Hi everybody

Good someone give me some advice, please, on rear brake problem on 1.9 TDi 2001. Car has done 98,000 and I have recently added a new clutch and new suspension all round, the car is driving almost like new, problem now is with rear brakes and handbrake. The offside rear caliper is binding, again, I had the garage clean and free up the caliper but its back to binding every time you drive the car now. Also I haven't used the handbrake for a few weeks now - just to check the rear brakes. My question is should I replace both rear calipers and the discs or just get the outside rear done? I'm not mechanically minded and partially disabled so all work will have to be done by local garage. Next question is does the handbrake work on the offside rear only and if I go for a complete overall of the rear brakes what do you recommed I do to get the handbrake properly working again. Should any parts of the handbrake system be replaced at the same time, and can anyone point me to any previous topics on workarounds for the handbrake system which I can get the garage to consider doing? I've no idea of cost at the moment but was thinking of keeping the car for a few more years if I can get these problems sorted once and for all as everyhing else seems to be great with the car and it doesn't appear to make much sense of getting rid of it if I can cure these problems.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Mine is doing the same atm, i am buying a new nsr caliper tomorrow which is £100 for a genuine painted vrs caliper. I just changed the discs and pads so will only change the calliper and bleed the brakes.

I lubricated mine with no success as it still sticks and over heats massively after around 10-15 mins drive. I would do the 1 caliper and take it from there mate.

Hi and thanks

I will try just replacing the os caliper only first, but might also have the springs on the handbrake changed at the same time as mentioned elsewhere in the form. Have you tried these on the handbrake?

I had both are my rear callipers replaced at circa 120K, both were freed but using the handbrake and they seized again. They went within a couple of months of each other so best to get both replaced. No problems since...

I tried the springs but my ns caliper is so just siezes straight back on in the same position straight away. I will be ordering myself a new caliper today as needs doing!

Hi

Garage has just got me the os caliper so its in tomorrow, will see what happens whenevet I get it back and post reply.

Thanks

Also it's worth fitting those extra springs (less than £4 for parts) to the rear calipers. Helps the handbrake mechanism reset each time you use the handbrake.

There's a sticky thread on this topic with pics/part nos etc

might aswell get a seal kit instead and recon and strip down the caliper you have. Thats more than likely what youll be putting back on anyway so save some cash

Hi

Got car back with os caliper changed only, last caliper looked in a bit of a state, will drive for a few days without using handbrake then try a few days with handbrake, if it starts to bind again I will change the springs on caliper and see what happens then.

Did over 200 miles on new caliper without any problems, put handbrake on overnight and the next day the problem was back again. Been to garage and they are ordering springs and will put on in a few days. They did say they couldn't see any problems with the springs that are on but will fit new ones anyway. If this doesn't work anyone with any other suggestions, please!

daft question but are the cables really free or full of rust

No its not a daft question, I think changing the cable will be the only thing left to do, the garage checked the cable when it was last in it and tought it was fine, its beginnning to get to me now if I can't get it sorted the car is going to go and that will be a bloody shame as the rest of it feels and drives alike new.

Hi, had the springs put on and now driven it for quite a few hundred miles and THEY WORK. This is a definite solution to the reoccuring problem. Will have ns caliper and handbrake renewed later in the year and should be OK from there on in.

Thanks everybody for replying.