Hi all

 

I have one (or more) binding brakes. Front left was really hot after a medium length fast drive yesterday, though it's actually the coolest disc after a shorter, slower drive today! Annoyingly sporadic.

 

Anyway, I took it to a garage, and he said the disc has blued and needs to be replaced, along with the caliper, pads etc. I suggested stripping the caliper, new seals etc. but he said not worth it, it'll just start sticking again in a week or so. Is this right? I don't mind replacing the lot (and the other front disc and pads) if I have to, but wouldn't a strip down and lube sort it?

 

If I do replace the caliper, is it worth replacing both while I'm there? Garage man said a strip down of the other front caliper should be enough as it's not as bad yet...

 

I imagine it's wiser not to drive the car at the moment? I need to drive 200 miles or so tomorrow!

 

Thanks for any thoughts.

I had binding front and rear calipers on the drivers side on my Scout in November last year.

 

The garage only replaced the affected calipers (not sure if they did anything to the passenger side), and all four brake pads and discs for £600.

 

Local Škoda dealer wasn't able to have a look for a fortnight. 

 

I wouldn't drive the vehicle until the issue is rectified. I only became aware there was an issue when I noticed the front disc was glowing amber, and had 'bubbled' the powder coating on my alloy, and that was on a fairly short drive. Not sure how many times the disc and alloy had been through that procedure before I noticed it. 

 

The one silver lining was it explained why my fuel consumption for that tank was in the mid 30's!

Until you remove the caliper and assess wear and damage it's probably safe to say the garage is being lazy and wants an easier, quicker and more profitable job.

 

I can't see how a front caliper could be that bad that a clean and rebuild with new parts wouldn't be serviceable again, rears yes.

 

Although you can get replacement seal kits cheap enough, I've not found a handbrake actuator rod for sale and in my experience it is this that rusts and pits due to a worn seal so a new seal on a damaged rod won't help... cue refurb/copy caliper at cheap prices.

 

Use another garage.

Thanks guys.

 

I did contact another garage and they said they'd replace the caliper too. I'll try one more on Monday.

 

The annoying this is it's inconsistent, so a few journeys will be fine, one a bit bad, a few fine, one really bad! Not seen the disc glowing yet, but def hot enough to smell it. And can feel the pads catching every wheel rotation.

 

Just had the rear discs and pads replaced two weeks ago as it happens, and now one of the rear discs feels hot to the touch too. Bah.

there's always the possibility of a part collapsed flexi hose acting as a one way valve -  jack up spin wheel --apply brakes --release--- check for stiction   --if stuck crack the bleed nipple --if cured it's the pipe if not its the caliper 

My other generally reliable garage said to replace the caliper too. Apparently the caliper refurb kits now available aren't much good, and corrosion in the caliper is likely to lead to new seals failing fairly soon too?

 

Pagid calipers don't seem to be too pricey, are they any good? And are there any better / cheaper sources than carparts4less?

 

Many thanks.

Used Pagid calipers a few times, never has any issues, dont forget if the you are paying a garage to rebuild it will probably be more in Labour than you will save in just replacing it. 

True.

 

At least my usual garage will replace the caliper but don't feel the need to automatically replace the discs and pads, both of which seem OK to me...