Over the last month or 2 I've noticed my fuel economy has gone down significantly. I haven't driven the car over a week and yesterday went out and something felt wrong. I stopped and NSF brakes were very hot.

 

Today I had a look at it and I can't seam to get the piston to move. Yes the calliper is down, so not kinking the pipe (made that mistake before). Anyone got any ideas how to un-seize it or do I buy a new/recon one?

You can take to caliper of the disc but leave it all connected then pump the brake pedal which will push the piston out so keep a eye on it not to pump it 2 far out and Pop it out of the seals once halfway out or so carefully peel the rubber dust cover back with out ripping it then clean off any rust of the piston .... Apply some rubber grease onto it then push the piston back .... You may have to pump it in and out a few times to fee it off fully other than that it's take it off and rebuild it or new caliper

Has the piston come right out?discs and pads really thin? Could be dirt and water has got in behind the rubber seal where the piston has come right out!. Good way to check is take pads out. Get a big clamp on it and try pushing it back.even undo the bleed nipple a little to see if that helps the piston goes back

If not.

its easy to get another caliper

Most places say take your old caliper back to get some money back.

Most people would say if you have to renew a caliper its best to do in pairs.just like pads and discs

You can buy a bleed kit.or make your own.

Or even get someone to press pedal while you bleed it.

Hardest part i found was making sure you clamp hose properly without damaging it

I used some molgrips and attached some rubber over ends to prevent splitting hose.

Edited 29 December, 201411 yr by vzo25

I've taken the caliper off, and tried to push it back with crow, bar, G-clamp, and even a calliper winding tool, none of which works. I think I'll be buying a new one. I have a feeling I won't be able to get a genuine Lucus one, so will have to make do with a patten one.

 

Strangely, earlier this year, the diagonally opposite rear calliper seized too. That was replaced with a patten one.

Sometimes if car has been sat for a week or more with handbrake on they can stick on

i would check both front calipers. If one side has been failing for even a few days as in sticking

Then that would lead to uneven brake wear.i had that on my old focus

Calipers should be easy enough to get hold off

As said above, over the last month my fuel economy has been 5 or more mpg down, so it was starting to stick. Also back in June on a journey to the lakes, for Brisky Cumbrian Run, the cailper got very hot compared to other side. It freed off during the event, but started to squeek.  I striped it a few weeks later (when I had chance) and couldn't find anything wrong.

 

Anyway, I've ordered a new caliper and should be coming mid-day tomorrow.