Rear Brake sticking on

Two years ago I replaced the offside rear calliper as it was sticking on.
Then last year the nearside rear calliper did the same so I replaced that.

Now the offside rear calliper is doing it again

Does anybody know what the actual problem is with these brakes, is it the handbrake mechanism that causes the problem or the brake piston or something else

I normally use the car daily to & from work but more recently I've been cycling hence the car has been not used for around 10 days but I wouldnt have thought that was enough of a reason to cause a problem.

By the way , the brake callipers I used to replace the old ones came from Renteck (Alpine specialist in Weymouth) and are reconditioned units, although looking at them they could have past'd for new.

Brakes International do new front and rear calipers.

They also do repair kits and new pistons for the rears.

Probably best to chock the wheels and leave the handbrake off when the cars stood for a while, but 10 days isn't a lot of time.

I'd probably have a guess that the rubber piston dust cover/seal has perished/come away and the piston has corroded.

I

I've had this problem several times, it's always been the handbrake mechanism. They are a very poor design!!

I've had this problem several times, it's always been the handbrake mechanism. They are a very poor design!!

So what is it on the handbrake that causes the problem?

Its because the handbrake is hydraulic (obviously the cable is mechanical but it acts on the hydraulic system via the lever)....most handbrakes are totally mechanical and have a seperate set of pads or mechanical levers to operate the system.

So is it likely to be the hydraulic part on parking mechanism or the piston ?

Its because the handbrake is hydraulic (obviously the cable is mechanical but it acts on the hydraulic system via the lever)....most handbrakes are totally mechanical and have a seperate set of pads or mechanical levers to operate the system.

sorry peter, this is untrue!

the handbrake has a direct mechanical link from the lever, cables through to calipers and pistion acting directly on to the pads.

a handbrake must only use mechanical energy (linkages and cables etc) not stored energy (hydraulic energy)

The handbrake uses belleville spring washers to return and these are not man enough for the job or are weakened after a while ,any wear/corrosion in the actuator or pivot and they can't return the piston .You can get beefier ones I'm sure it's just a case of research ,but it's far to tedious a task
It does use stored energy ....................to release



Pictures Re Mr Taylors request

I wouldnt have expected it to fail after two years though

I'll try disconnecting the handbrake cable, and reset the mechanism.

Mine regularly fails it's MOT on the handbrake ..........................Use it a lot and it wears out ,leave it in gear and it seizes up

Pictures Re Mr Taylors request

It's a bit strange. I backed it out this morning and when moving very very slowly I could hear the pad rubbing on the disc, pumped the brakes a few times and the noise went away.
Maybe the piston is at fault.

It's annoying because I was careful not to overdo the handbrake cable to tight (as per Andrew Jones's advice which I was very grateful for)

Just a thought - How long ago did you repalce your cables.... I have done both mine and the mechs work fine (so far) ... If the cables are not free
then the mechanism might not return fully..... Its a bit of a botch to do as the
thread on the lever mech hasn't enough length to get started with two new cables that have no stretch in them.... Advice - If you haven't done it before and going to have a go, ask someone who has...............

Peter

them.... Advice - If you haven't done it before and going to have a go, ask someone who has...............

That's the reason for the post

Backed it out the garage this morning and found the battery dead

It's strange, because the radio stopped working a few days ago and then this! The battery must be 5 years old so perhaps it had run it's course and the radio not working was just a sign the impending end to the battery