Since replacing the well worn front pads and discs in my 2004 Mk 1 Fab with 65k on the clock I've noticed intermittent binding of both front brakes.

 

After some journeys (short and long) both wheels, hubs, discs etc. are extremly hot to touch and take about 10 minutes to cool off!  After other journeys they feel normally warm.

 

Has anyone got any ideas please?

 

I've checked and triple checked the installation of the new pads and discs and am sure I've done nothing wrong and all looks OK (e.g. the pads that should be next to the piston are next to the piston, all sliding surfaces were cleaned and copper greased, etc.).

 

Thanks very much.

Did you put silicone grease on the caliper pins?

I may be pointing out the obvious but brakes get hot with use, the more they are used on a journey and the harder they're used the hotter they'll get and this is normal, more so when bedding in as they'll take a little wearing (some have a break in coating to help) to each other. For example if I take one route to work that involves tight bends, rapid deceleration and is what i'd consider a technical drive at legal speeds then I can easily have very hot - so much so you would be an idiot to touch them - discs, if I pootle along the 'normal' roads that's mainly straight and flowing then my disc's will be warm to the touch.

If your wheels are hot, you've simply got seized calipers. Which means lubing up the pins (not with copper ease, this is Not to be used)... As said, use silicone grease.

Why cant you use copper grease? And why do you have to use silicone grease??

Copper grease is bad for brakes because of many reasons.... It's bad for abs when put on the pads, it's bad for slider pins when used on them it makes the seals degrade/swell

Could be the caliper pistons sticking. I've had it happen on other cars I've had.

Thanks very much for your replies guys.  I realy appreciate the advice.

 

But surely wouldn't issues with the calipers/pads sticking etc. cause the binding to be more random? Or am I showing my lack of knowledge?

 

 Why does it only happen on both wheels each time it happens. What would make both brakes to intermittently drag at the same time and then intermittently operate correctly at the same time?

 

Thanks again for your help.

Brakes are simple things...

So long as you've put everything back together properly, no cross threads and torqued up correctly, used a slip of copper ease on the caliper guides/silicon grease the pins,all should be well. Check condition of your rubber boots that house the pins.

You might finally need to bleed your brakes with new fluid, it may desperately need doing if it's been left for a few years. The fluid can retain moisture (water), which is NOT good.

Otherwise change your pads if they are cheep sh#te