When I got out of the car tonight I was greeted with that dreaded smell of burning friction linings. A quick check found the rear nearside caliper and wheel to be exceedingly hot, leading me to assume something sticking or seized - as it usually goes.

Before I start to strip it down tomorrow, just wanted to check - is the handbrake on the disc pads or are the separate shoes within the small hub drum? Just so I can start to check through all areas.

I have an 06 Vrs petrol saloon.

Thanks

The handbrake just uses the standard caliper.

As above. And had exactly the same problem two weeks ago!

Thanks. Hoping I can just clean and free it up. Seems like 100 notes is a lot for a replacement caliper that won't even match the rest of them colour-wise!

When I got out of the car tonight I was greeted with that dreaded smell of burning friction linings. A quick check found the rear nearside caliper and wheel to be exceedingly hot, leading me to assume something sticking or seized - as it usually goes.

Before I start to strip it down tomorrow, just wanted to check - is the handbrake on the disc pads or are the separate shoes within the small hub drum? Just so I can start to check through all areas.

I have an 06 Vrs petrol saloon.

Thanks

Exactly the same as me tonight except mine was rear offside. I've ordered new rear Bosch pads and discs for both sides. Might as well while the calipers off, and they're only £68 delivered from ECP with a code.

This link may help.

Thanks for that link, always avoided doing the calipers myself as I seemed to think there was a lot more to it than that. Surprised me to see there wasn't (once you get the damned thing off that is!)

Don't underestimate how hard it is to get the damn thing off though... total pain.

You'll also need a caliper rewind tool as the piston twists back.

I've managed it before with long nosed pliers......plus lots of sweat, strain, swearing and tears!

The results were successful though unable to use my hands for a day or so.

By experience I may invest in a rewind tool for the next time!

Though I did say that last time.

And the time before....

And the time before that....

Had the same thing the other week too. Pads out, caliper cleaned up and piston wound back, copper slip everywhere on reassembly and been fine since. I got a rewind tool for about 12 quid from machine mart, quite glad that the 22 quid laser one was out of stock at screwfix!