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Author Topic: Seized front caliper?  (Read 11704 times)

Offline brookesb32

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Seized front caliper?
« on: July 01, 2013, 03:18:33 pm »
hi all,

taking the GTI to the garage on Thursday, but thought it was worth picking your brains as well in case anyone else has had this.

Took the car out sat night and all was fine. Sunday morning went to take the car out but as soon as i started moving forward (was fine backwards) i could hear a rubbing noise from the NSF brake disc - a little like when you wear off the rust after washing - except that it got worse the quicker the car went.

needless to say i put the car back on the drive. Upon jacking up to test the movement of the wheel compared to the OSF wheel i could hear that the pad was rubbing on the disc when turned in either direction.

now im thinking that the caliper may be seizing, but has anyone had anything similar?

Simon
« Last Edit: July 01, 2013, 03:20:34 pm by brookesb32 »
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Offline Scottymon

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2013, 03:31:22 pm »
The calipers usually seize due to a tear in the boot, check it... also do you have a temperature probe?  You can check the heat of each disc after some hard braking (the seize cally disc will be a lot hotter).

Offline brookesb32

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2013, 05:51:57 pm »
The calipers usually seize due to a tear in the boot, check it... also do you have a temperature probe?  You can check the heat of each disc after some hard braking (the seize cally disc will be a lot hotter).

I don't have a temp probe unfortunately and don't really fancy driving it too far with the noise it makes. I'm no mechanic, is the boot the part behind the piston?
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Offline Scottymon

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2013, 07:31:54 pm »
It's a perfect excuse to upgrade to some R32 calipers, or NQS BBK :party:
Failing that, just grab a cally from eBay and get the garage to fit... it's not a big job, I did all 4 of mine just after winter and I'm no mechanic.  :happy2:

Offline Tortaruga

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2013, 08:14:07 pm »
^^^ Scotty was it a nightmare getting the caliper carrier bolts off the rears? The M14 spline ones?
'07 Red manual

Offline Scottymon

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2013, 08:16:50 pm »
Didn't need to take the carriers off this time as you can do the callys without removing the carriers. 

However I've done the rear discs before now and yeap they are tight... nothing some plusgas and a breaker bar won't solve though. :happy2:

Offline doylebros

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2013, 08:58:12 pm »
Sure it's not a stone got in there,common fault and gives that type of problem!

Offline brookesb32

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2013, 09:09:10 pm »
Sure it's not a stone got in there,common fault and gives that type of problem!

Couldn't see one but you never know around the back. My local garage is only around the corner so thought just best to get them to look. I have a whole set of spline bits so could check myself but had problems with te rears in the past as the bolts were so tight so dont fancy that again
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Offline doylebros

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2013, 09:13:34 pm »
There's nothing on those brakes as tough as that armrest vent pipe job!

Offline brookesb32

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2013, 09:17:25 pm »
 
There's nothing on those brakes as tough as that armrest vent pipe job!

 :signLOL: I told you would be a pain
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Offline doylebros

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2013, 09:20:23 pm »
Normally if it's a caliper fault there's a lot more brake dust on that wheel due to the caliper not releasing and the stone tends to sound like metal to metal fault.

Offline brookesb32

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2013, 09:53:50 pm »
Normally if it's a caliper fault there's a lot more brake dust on that wheel due to the caliper not releasing and the stone tends to sound like metal to metal fault.

Haven't noticed any difference but it occurred overnight. Was one sat night and only began on start up Sunday morning hence my thought about it seizing. Really hope it hasn't although may buy a caliper just in case - I know their price new and its not pretty
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Offline Baz_doc

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2013, 10:11:30 pm »
Id try to take the caliper off and clean it all mate. Push in the piston like ur changing the pads and see if it sticks again, if so time for a new caliper unfort

Offline brookesb32

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2013, 11:09:15 pm »
Well, I took it to the garage today, and as is always the way it made an awful noise until about 300 yards from the house when it just stopped  :scared:

Got the garage to take a look anyway but they couldnt see anything apart from a scratch on the disc - nothing major. So seems something must have got in and didn't dislodge with my efforts until today of course. It's like going to the docs, problem stops when you go  :grin:

So all good - I even have a spare caliper and pads with tons of pad left I bought just in case - I know how much calipers are new!  :evilgrin:

Thanks for all the input chaps  :congrats:
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Offline Big_jim

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Re: Seized front caliper?
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2017, 04:33:14 pm »
I've got a squeal coming from my front brakes. Just jacked it up for a look and both front wheels dont spin very freely.
Uneven wear on the disc.
Guessing I've got sticky pistons.
Is there a repair kit or is it new pistons??