Seized calipers

[sierraman]

Mondeos rear calipers seem to be binding, going on the smell coming from them. Only just started today I think. Is it possible to unseize them or is it new caliper time?

 

If its new caliper do I need to replace both sides?

[Bren]

New caliper easier than repair - cleaning is only a temporary solution.

[spike60]

If you buy cheap refurbed calipers don't expect them to last, if you keep the car you'll be doing them again along with the cheap rear wheel bearings that are an annual event. You can reach up and pull the handbrake arm back and not use it again, it seems to be the hand brake side that seizes. Could be the cable as well/instead of course.

[danthecapriman]

Sometimes it's just lack of use or a bit of built up dirt making them sticky or start to bind. Maybe worth trying to work the pistons in and out and clean any crap out of them. Also make sure any sliders are free and that the pads haven't got stuck or twisted slightly causing the pads to get stuck.

If the calipers are seized due to rust on the piston or bores it will probably keep happening, even if you manage to free them up it will probably seize again. In this case it's time for a rebuild or replacement.

 

If one is ok but the other is seized it's ok to only change the one. I've never had any issues by just changing one side.

[gordonbennet]

Part of my annual routine is full brake strip clean inspect, and then the all important lube up of pistons (under the dust cover with a cotton bud) and sliders with proper brake grease, not coppaslip which will perish rubbers over time.

Then a full oiling and greasing of handbrake mechanism and cables and a grease up or similar of brake pipes.

Plus a quick flush and new fluid every other year.

 

Do this and your standard calipers and brake system will last indefinately.

 

Not easy to get seized calipers working again, once the piston rusts and scores the bore it's usually all over even if you replace said piston.

 

Quick rant...i fuckin hate the lack of proper brake care by many garages incl and especially main dealers these days, which consists of peering through or from behind the wheel at the pads and then squirting brake cleaner in the general direction of the caliper....this is of no use to man nor beast, you cannot inspect pads unless you remove them, full bleedin stop....rant ends.

[dollywobbler]

To be honest, I've often fitted refurbed calipers with no bother. Though it helps that I don't keep cars for long...

 

I've refurbished calipers on the 2CV, Mini and Range Rover (four bloody pistons on each caliper on the fronts!). It's fiddly and a time thief (hence why garages would rather just chuck another caliper on) but very satisfying. On the 2CV, it uses alloy pistons, so I only had to clean them up a bit. Most stuff uses steel, which corrodes and gets stuck in the bore. On both the Mini and Range Rover, new pistons and seals had it all sorted for cheap.

 

On the XM, while it was on a ramp being welded up, I pulled the rear pads out (I knew they were low, but they've a bit of life left in them) and that gave me a chance to check the pistons were moving freely and lube everything back up before refitting. Didn't take long and made me feel better. Not done that at the front yet mind...

[sierraman]

It's a Mk3 Mondeo weakness apparently. I only had them out last year cleaned them up to fit new pads.

[beko1987]

I had a front one seize up on the Puma, used to feel it dragging, get out, see the disc blue hot, smack it with the Jack handle I kept in the back for just this reason, hear the sliders release and carry on, trying not to brake again.

 

Replaced it with a second hand one, lasted until I scrapped the car...

[Asimo]

Some refurbished calipers use plated steel pistons which don't last very long before they rust and fail again. Big Redd in Worcester rebuild with stainless steel pistons which seems a better idea but costs more. I recently revived seized rear calipers on a Civic by rubbing the rust off the outer part of the pistons (ie without removing them from the caliper, just pumped the pedal until the rustiest bit was accessible) with wet n dry paper and then a good clean and lube with brake grease.

 

handbrakes and calipers are a right sod in my experience

[AlabamaShrimp]

Bit shit on breaks and I'm one of them guilty of not mention them. Got the drives side binding on the fiesta about 3 years ago. Hit it with a hammer, had it proper freed off and cleaned by the local garage, no problem again.

 

Had it up on the lift the other day, all still works good