Hi all, I've changed out the old front pads and discs after a solid few years not moving.
Re greased the slide bolts with full wind back of piston and good clean up.
Pumped the brakes back up and they seem to be dragging a lot. Near side a bit more. Almost like they aren't backing off fully.
Not entirely sure why. Anyone have any ideas? Servo maybe?
I think you should check the piston are not sticking.
Hi there, I wound the pistons right back and pumped them back a good few times (without pads and off the carrier) to make sure they weren't binding. Both moved freely out and were quite easy to compress back in.
Hi without pressure being applied the piston should just relax and let the disc spin freely they always just touch very sightly.
Are the wheels hot at all after a drive, like really hot or just warm?
Before I changed out the discs and pads they were extremely hot. So decided to give them a service as above.
Figured it might have been jammed slides or pistons but everything seemed very free to move when put back together.
Now they are binding but not as badly.
Sounds like you've picked up a little grit or something in the piston.
Could be that they've started to corrode as well.
Fortunately rebuild kits are pretty cheap and you can do them yourself without too much trouble.
Fair point, the callipers on the front have got a lot of years on them, maybe even original. I'll have them off and rebuild them then!
I'll report back when done, thank you all.
Calipers off and renewing everything which is good. The bad bit is that the hoses have seen better days.
No issue, easy to change.... Wrong. The hard lines are practically welded to the hose with the captive nut beginning to defom its so tight.
Cut the clip off to get better purchase but no luck. Have saturated in wd40 for now.
Apart from trying some heat has anyone got any suggestions?
Calipers off and renewing everything which is good. The bad bit is that the hoses have seen better days.
No issue, easy to change.... Wrong. The hard lines are practically welded to the hose with the captive nut beginning to defom its so tight.
Cut the clip off to get better purchase but no luck. Have saturated in wd40 for now.
Apart from trying some heat has anyone got any suggestions?
You could get a bit of copper pipe a cutter and flaring tool and use a connector, so cut off a bit of hard pipe on the flexi, make a new piece and use a connector.
Calipers off and renewing everything which is good. The bad bit is that the hoses have seen better days.
No issue, easy to change.... Wrong. The hard lines are practically welded to the hose with the captive nut beginning to defom its so tight.
Cut the clip off to get better purchase but no luck. Have saturated in wd40 for now.
Apart from trying some heat has anyone got any suggestions?
You could get a bit of copper pipe a cutter and flaring tool and use a connector, so cut off a bit of hard pipe on the flexi, make a new piece and use a connector.
Have to agree on this one. I don't think there's been a single original brake line on a mk2 I've done in the last 10 years that came off without me having to renew it.
This one, while it is not cheap, it is very good and you can do the lines on the car (some cheaper kits require use of a vice)
https://www.mymotorworld.com/draper-expert-hand-held-brake-pipe-flaring-tool-din-4-75mm?msclkid=2c5d9b123cbf137aac0bf21faa01d05b&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX%20-%20Lubricants,%20Screenwash,%20Spray%20Paints,%20Engine%20Oil,%20Car%20Cleaning%20%26%20Winter%20RMM&utm_term=2328490751035845&utm_content=PL%20-%20Spray%20Paints%20MM
As above, get some copper line, some M10x1mm connectors and you'll be away.
If it's a front line, you could reproduce the whole thing, they aren't particularly long.
The fun continues then! With regards to changing the front lines how feasible is it having the car on axle stands with engine in? Is it a case of wiggling them right or is there too much in the way?
The nearside front is a very short line just runs to a joint on the bulkhead offside is also quite short. This is from memory from when I replaced mine. I bought premade prebent pipes rather than making the pipes myself.
The fun continues then! With regards to changing the front lines how feasible is it having the car on axle stands with engine in? Is it a case of wiggling them right or is there too much in the way?
Will be fine on axle stands, just put the wheels underneath for back up, not hard to get the pipes off they are not that complicated, this will give you the idea https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284600419805
Thanks for the input everyone, old lines now off ready for new ones when they arrive.
Lovely few hours. Rebuilt the callipers with my 4 year old, child's play...?! Not quite but close.
(https://i.ibb.co/hRw2zVN6/PXL-20251108-113258533.jpg) (https://ibb.co/99Sy5W0D)
(https://i.ibb.co/BVgWG4Md/PXL-20251109-094742646.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y7tnXDsY)
(https://i.ibb.co/v6KdrkPG/PXL-20251109-095203245.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wFxQb4WX)
(https://i.ibb.co/V0XQq1mw/PXL-20251109-103231980.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vC2QjFYX)
Looking great! Have you got them back on yet?
Not yet, the brake line turned up today. Going to recondition the rear N/S also and flush through with fresh fluid soon. Will update with progress, :)