Jump to content

Sticking front brakes


Recommended Posts

Hi chaps, I've had grabby front brakes for a while, I'm going to get the wheels and calipers off this weekend, do I need a wind back tool or can I push the pistons in & out a little without it? Im not disconnecting the caliper It's just to expose a small amount of the piston to clean it up with brake cleaner? It's a TDI 2.0. Cheers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No wind back tool required for front calipers. Highly recommend you open bleed valve before you push back pistons. Then push them right back to remove dirty contaminated fluid. Thoroughly clean carriers and remove corrosion with a small file. Clean slide pins and grease. Check caliper slides back and forward freely before pumping out pistons. Bleed until clean fluid comes through. Keep an eye on  reservoir level .Good luck.

 

Edited by xman
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You don't have to disconnect them at all. You just might have mucky fluid in the caliper cylinders, though if they are regularly fluid changed this will be minimal. A good bleed with a lot of fresh fluid is always a good idea. Use a Gunson EasyBleed for best effective bleeding. If you have sticking front calipers they might be past their best. I had to have two changed within 18 months of each other. Both had corroded pistons despite regular fluid changes. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The grabbing is because your brakes are not fully releasing and heating up. Pistons sticking (internal dirt/corrosion) and/or caliper sticking and not sliding (corrosion on carrier/pad sliding surfaces)

 

No need to disconnect flexi from caliper. If you use a simple bleed kit (pipe and bottle) eg

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/tools/car-service-tools/brake-service-tools/brake-bleeders/?SEAVS0201&0&t5_389

Just open the bleed valve and push dirty fluid out by pushing pistons back. Close the bleed valve to stop air being drawn back in. Then carefully pump the pistons out taking great care not to pump them out too far. Open the bleed valve again and push the poston back to push the fluid out. Exercising the pistons this way helps removes corrosion and lubricates. Keep an eye on the brake reservoir and top up with clean fluid while doing this.

 

Invest in a 7mm brake allen key. (Mine cost about £4 for a laser tool from ebay). Then you can remove the caliper in a flash and do a proper job.

 

Think about fitting new pads, only about £25 from ECP.

 

Only use proper brake grease (Ceratec) about £5 from ECP.

 

 

Edited by xman
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.