Sticking rear caliper mechanism?

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:40 pm

Noticed over the weekend that the handbrake lever won't go down fully - when relesed it pops up a bit so the warning light goes on. Thinking this through I've concluded it might be a stuck handbrake mechanism on the rear caliper. After driving to work today I felt each of the rear wheels and the passenger side feels warmer so I guess the culprit could be there.

So my next task is to diagnose properly and fix it.

Is it simply a case of stripping down the offending caliper and cleaning it? - I've heard the mechanism is external - could this be done without breaking the hydraulic unions as I'd prefer to keep things simple. If I've got to pull everything to bits, should I be chaging anything else, apart from hydraulic fluid (of course).

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 8:25 pm

Mine does this periodically and it has always been the caliper slides sticking rather than the handbrake mechanism. I just clean up and regrease the two pins and clean the areas where the pads slide in the caliper body.

Original 254k calipers - very ugly but still working.

Our Mk2 Golf GTI was the one for sticking handbrake mechanisms in the caliper. You can get then apart, clean up and reassemble but it is a nasty job.

Nick

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:05 pm

I got a seal kit from Bigg red anyway, so we'll see what happens when I pull it apart.

Anyone know where I can order some good weather?

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:14 pm

If it is the handbrake mechanism, get some of these to strip it down

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310147049669?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Chances are the little seal at the top of the pivot pin will have worn and be letting in water, strip clean and re-grease with a new seal. Job done.

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:03 pm

Played around a bit at the weekend - didn't have the time or inclination to remove the caliper, but found that the actuator arm wasn't fully returning to the released position - there's a little stopper it rests on. A wirebrush, WD40 and vigorous wiggling of the handbrake seems to have freed it up a bit so it's moving back enough for the warning light to go out, but it's still not quite right.

I'm considering the possibility that there's excessive friction in the handbrake cable - is this likely?

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:21 pm

Unlikely to be the cable, I've done a few now and they've all been the same, dry as a bone on the pivot pin. Once rebuilt and lubricated the arm snaps back like a mouse trap!

There's a rebuild guide online that I followed, I'll try and find it.

Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:26 pm

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2770104

Looks a bit tricky but it's not Very Happy

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 7:43 am

Nice one buddy - will read and digest - thanks!