caliper sticking?

[AndyBrown]

Few month back my car failed it's MOT on a rear caliper sticking, was making a squeal when doing a slow speed and gentle breaking. Replaced the rear caliper passenger side.

Got a squeal again which seems a bit worse this time, car doesn't pull in any direction when I'm braking, just a squeal when going slow, so ive got a few questions.

1. How can I check if a calipers sticking?
2. Is it possible to fix without needing another new caliper?
3. Would lowering the car affect it as I've had it done this afternoon and seems to be worse.

Thanks

[beetie]

If a caliper is sticking on then the disc will get very hot after a run. Touch it very quickly with a wet finger and see if it boils/hisses.

[AndyBrown]

Bit more info, seems to be fine when the brakes are cold, if the cars left for 5 mins or so it's all ok, no noise at all.

[Jknight89]

I get the some problem when driving a low speeds and braking gently I get brake squeal from what I believe to be the front left. Could this just be oil, grease on the surface of the disc? Was thinking about taking my pass out and deglazing them. Also the car has just had a MOT and no mention of any problems with the brakes

[AndyBrown]

Anyone got any ideas?

[jason_rmh]

Are they standard pads (not upgraded versions)?
Could just be the pad backing plate needing a bit of copper grease on the bits that contact the Caliper / piston.
If one of the discs is not getting overly hot as described above, its probably this.
Take the pads out, clean Caliper carrier and grease the pad backing plate, be careful not to ge t any grease on the pad friction lining or the disc.
Jas

[JimGTI]

I've got the exact same issue. Just got worse after Christmas. Started off as a squeal when coming to a slow stop, but occasionally now is a full on howl even when driving. I'm just assuming the salty roads have built up a lot of crud in the disks and pads. It's ridiculously annoying. If I have time I'm going to strip the fronts and clean and grease them today. Seems its common this time of year.

[AndyBrown]

There's a guide online but ive just had a search on go gle and csnt seem to find it now, anyone got a link?

[jason_rmh]

Search for brake pad squeal, you'll prob find some you tube videos.
Jas

[JimGTI]

I stripped my front brakes down earlier this afternoon. The fronts are relatively simple, the caliper has two 7mm allen bolts holding it into place, just ensure you're careful with the retaining clip as they can ping off with some force. The caliper should then come off, be careful of the pad wear sensor on the nearside if you have one.

The contacting surfaces were absolutely bone dry and covered in brake dust so I just cleaned them up, re-slipped them and re-fitted them. Seems to have done the trick but time will tell. Took the opportunity to check the wishbone and drop link bushes and the CVs too, all looks good!