Seized rear caliper

[H4MXU]

So, went to get my rear pads changed on my GTI and my local garage told me something I really didn’t want to hear. My rear left caliper has seized. I’m sure that’s why the pad was completely worn.

Now, I didn’t know much then (not that I do know), so I said ideally I don’t want to buy a brand new one. They said they won’t recommend used and said get a new one (these guys aren’t really top specialists, just very local mechanics).

They quoted me £140 for a Pagid caliper from ECP inc. fitting (bear in mind this isn’t even painted).

Ideally I don’t want to do that.

Now I learnt that you can get rebuild kits and I would prefer my old one be rebuilt. I wouldn’t do it myself though. Is this an option that would work? Is there a chance that the rebuild won’t work?

Another option is that on eBay various companies sell genuine remanufactured calipers. I could get both sides for £125 (see here: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F162180117291) or just left side for about £60.

Really stuck on what to do, any help would be appreciated. I want to minimise my cost as much as possible as this car has been a money pit for me recently.


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[bklash3]

Had mine recently rebuilt, more like repaired, they were seized because of the old o-rings have become a mush of rubber, so i replaced all the rubber parts only, since the piston was perfectly fine.

Is there a chance that the rebuild won’t work?

Only if there is damage on the piston or caliper housing where the piston sits.

[Carpy25]

I bought refurbished calipers off eBay about three years ago can’t remember the seller I had them about two months before fitting them one was binned never fitted as the banjo bolt thread was truncated ( edges of threads worn or new thread cut in an oversize hole ) no come back from seller as I had it too long the other side has just been replaced after three years and about 25 k , my garage said they had to pay lots for a red one as their being phased out

Refurbished calipers were half the price of new and a quarter as good , I’ve learnt my lesson

Buy new buy once

The new one on the other side is still good

Rob

[H4MXU]

I bought refurbished calipers off eBay about three years ago can’t remember the seller I had them about two months before fitting them one was binned never fitted as the banjo bolt thread was truncated ( edges of threads worn or new thread cut in an oversize hole ) no come back from seller as I had it too long the other side has just been replaced after three years and about 25 k , my garage said they had to pay lots for a red one as their being phased out

Refurbished calipers were half the price of new and a quarter as good , I’ve learnt my lesson

Buy new buy once

The new one on the other side is still good

Rob

Thanks. I’m actually looking at getting a new TRW caliper just for the left side as I know they are OEM.

Can you tell me if this is the correct one https://brakeparts.co.uk/shop/VW/GOLF/05-08/GOLF%20MK5%202.0%20inc%20GTI/Rear%20-%20Brake%20Calipers%20and%20Wheel%20Cylinders/BCA3364T

Or if it’s another one as there’s different sizes.


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[SiimpleHarry]

Just as a heads up, from my personal experience I changed my rear caliper and then a few months later the other side also seized. This meant I ended up going through 2 sets of pads and had to have the wheels off again to change them over.

In retrospect I would have just done both calipers with a brake fluid change which would have been cheaper in the long run. So might be worth asking the garage to check the condition of the caliper on the other side too, especially if the brake fluid hasn't been changed for a while.

[brammer]

For another option check:

http://www.biggreddemo.auto-guru.uk/

No personal experience but have seen them recommended before.

[Octoparrot]

I wouldn't bother to try rebuilding your caliper, I've heard it's rarely successful  and probably cost just as much in labour as buying a new or reconditioned caliper.

[H4MXU]

I wouldn't bother to try rebuilding your caliper, I've heard it's rarely successful  and probably cost just as much in labour as buying a new or reconditioned caliper.

That’s true, thanks

I’ve been offered a set of rear Calipers and discs off an Ed30 for £50. They are used but all in good working order.

Do you think it’s worth it? I’m only worried about the case if after few months one of them seizes up as well, but Calipers shouldn’t just seize up right?


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[titchy]

Buy new less hassle

[mosi2]

I had the same issue except both rear calipers were seized! I bought 2 brand new ones (Not painted) from bay for £60 total and fitted them myself. It very easy to fit if you know a little DIY. Just be careful when removing the hard brake pipe from the old calipers to transfer to the new ones. If the banjo bolts are old the pipe might seized to them and brake the pipe when taking them off. Altho 2 new piper from bay are £20 if u brake them anyways. Obviously don't forget to bleed the brakes after. (And maybe adjust the handbrake for correct tension)

[pudding]

I wouldn't bother to try rebuilding your caliper, I've heard it's rarely successful  and probably cost just as much in labour as buying a new or reconditioned caliper.

That’s true, thanks

I’ve been offered a set of rear Calipers and discs off an Ed30 for £50. They are used but all in good working order.

Do you think it’s worth it? I’m only worried about the case if after few months one of them seizes up as well, but Calipers shouldn’t just seize up right?

Unfortunately they do.  The back of the car never gets hot and is a dirt trap, so calipers with handbrake mechanisms all go the same way.  Golfs, Ford Focus etc.....any car that uses them.

One of mine seized so bad, the brake disc started turning blue/purple it got so hot!  I thought it was a bit sluggish pulling away      When I replaced the wheel bearing on that side at a later date, it also looked a bit discoloured and all the grease had burnt away 

In the end I needed 2 carriers, 2 calipers, 2 discs, new pads and 2 hard lines.  That wasn't a cheap day 

My advice, get new ones.  Mine have been on there almost 5 years and still working nicely.  I've tried the rebuild kits on my old MK4 and it's more the handbrake mechanism that doesn't back the piston out when you release it.  It all just turns into one big seized mess.  The 'rebuild' only lasted through 1 or 2 winters, tops.

The new TRW ones will be fine.  Obviously a cheap tin of caliper paint will bring them up nicely 

[H4MXU]

I wouldn't bother to try rebuilding your caliper, I've heard it's rarely successful  and probably cost just as much in labour as buying a new or reconditioned caliper.

That’s true, thanks

I’ve been offered a set of rear Calipers and discs off an Ed30 for £50. They are used but all in good working order.

Do you think it’s worth it? I’m only worried about the case if after few months one of them seizes up as well, but Calipers shouldn’t just seize up right?

Unfortunately they do.  The back of the car never gets hot and is a dirt trap, so calipers with handbrake mechanisms all go the same way.  Golfs, Ford Focus etc.....any car that uses them.

One of mine seized so bad, the brake disc started turning blue/purple it got so hot!  I thought it was a bit sluggish pulling away      When I replaced the wheel bearing on that side at a later date, it also looked a bit discoloured and all the grease had burnt away 

In the end I needed 2 carriers, 2 calipers, 2 discs, new pads and 2 hard lines.  That wasn't a cheap day 

My advice, get new ones.  Mine have been on there almost 5 years and still working nicely.  I've tried the rebuild kits on my old MK4 and it's more the handbrake mechanism that doesn't back the piston out when you release it.  It all just turns into one big seized mess.  The 'rebuild' only lasted through 1 or 2 winters, tops.

The new TRW ones will be fine.  Obviously a cheap tin of caliper paint will bring them up nicely 

Thank you, that is very helpful!

So you wouldn’t recommend remanufactured ones from eBay?

Also, if I decide to buy a new TRW caliper just for the left side, would it matter that the one on the right is an old caliper?


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[pudding]

I would buy a pair of the TRW ones mate. I'm personally not a fan of rebuilt anything, but it's your car and money chap    Kill 2 birds with one stone.  You'll be back under there again replacing the other caliper at some point otherwise!