Suspected brake binding ... and what to do about it

[col.decker]

I think I've got the begining of a saga starting..

So I gets out my van this morning at the petrol station and as I get out I notice a puff of smoke coming from the front driverside wheeel, accompanied by a funny smell a bit like a PCB or electrial circuit getting hot. Also there was a bit of heat coming off the wheel.

I guess that will be the brake pads binding on the disc then? Steering is fine and braking seems unaffected (ie its still rubbish). So this weekend I'll have the wheel off and see what is happening.

Any tell-tale signs of I should be looking for or tips on how to fix it? I'll check wear on the pads and disc naturally but is there anything else?

[Dad]

It could be a sticking caliper, I just took the caliper off and did some pumping and pushing, sorted. Not a t25 though.

[Tufty_B]

If the disc has a blue tinge to it and it ultra shiny then you have a sticking calliper, also check pad wear to the other side, if one pair of pads is worn more than the other then that is also another sign.

It could be a sticking caliper, I just took the caliper off and did some pumping and pushing, sorted. Not a t25 though.

This can work, but I've only ever found it to be a temporary fix and the issue usually re-occurs fairly soon. See how it goes but either prepare to fork out for a new calliper in the near future or be doing this every now and then,

[kevtherev]

caliper off
G- clamp
wind it in fully and pump it almost out several times



if it sticks again
push the piston out
check the bore for rust
any rust...junk it
otherwise clean the bore with t-cut

[col.decker]

Thanks chaps! Just driven from work to pick the kids up from school, about 20 miles. While I waited for them I checked the wheel to see if it got hot the journey. It did.

Not red hot but definitely warm.

[col.decker]

Had the calliper off today. Brake pads and disk look fine, hardly any wear at all. But the outside surface of the calliper piston was showing surface rust.

I guess I'll be needing a new one then!

[kevtherev]

The rust is there because the brake fluid has probably never been changed, brake fluid is hygroscopic.

[col.decker]

Ok that sounds potentially expensive. If the piston is rusty is it fair to assume that all 4 are rusty along with the pipe work?

[kevtherev]

Ok that sounds potentially expensive. If the piston is rusty is it fair to assume that all 4 are rusty along with the pipe work?

have you got the piston out ?
try cleaning it up with t-cut or some other mild abrasive.
same with the bores

don't give up yet

[col.decker]

Lol cool, will do. Btw I realise now my question above was a newbie 'how long is a piece of string / crystal ball' -er.

[col.decker]

It's a single piston Girling type btw if that helps with the diagnosis at all

[kevtherev]

I have the same van and calipers, mine stuck last year, but I got away with a push in and pump out several times.
I renewed the fluid soon after, been ok since.

[col.decker]

A week or so later and all is good in the hood. Thanks y'all