Random rear brake Drag, S2 estate.

[Ian Simmonds]

On the S2 Before I put new pads and discs on it last weekend, it would randomly drag the off side rear caliper, getting hot some days and being fine on others. This afternoon, the near side was dragging with the new discs and pads, and getting warm, so when i got home I jacked it up, and its as free as a bird!!!

I'll have a proper look tomorrow, but any thoughts?

VBR
Ian

[Monkeymagic]

My guess as with most vag rear calipers the handbrake mech is getting lazy and calipers sticking on.

[TimE-J]

Is the handbrake mechanism through the caliper on the avant?

First things I would check would be slider pins in the carrier, how well the piston moves in the caliper and the condition on the brake hose as they could be braking down inside causing fluid to be held under slight pressure.

[andyg plym]

i got a lovely set (if needed) of rear calipers going cheap

[Ian Simmonds]

Many thanks folk
I had all the slider pins out, cleaning and regreasing them and fitting new boots, they're moving freely enough (I think), its weird the fault has swapped sides since stripping Down and servicing the brakes...

[Sleeper_Avant]

pads sticking in the carrier possibly?

Rubber flexi hoses can perish letting fluid push caliper piston out but not let fluid back

wheel bearing dragging under load?

[Ian Simmonds]

Hmmm, pads sticking in the carriers, interesting... Do you lub them with copperslip or not... I didn't, i put them in dry?

[TimE-J]

I do tend to put a little bit of copper grease on the pads but I also make sure the carrier where the pads sit is wire brushed or even cleaned using a file to make sure there's no corrosion causing the pads to stick.

[Sleeper_Avant]

careful with a file, as not to take too much metal off then pads knock.

but make sure pad carriers are clean with wire brush or as Tim says with a file, little dab of copper slip or high temp grease

pad quality makes a diference also, non dealer pads mostly need the paint removed where they fit in the carriers, even a gentle "tap" into place will cause sticking

[Ian Simmonds]

Thanks folk, I'll revisit them this morning, the pads are dry and needed a bit of encouragement into place. The caliper was wire brushed, but i suspect this could be the issue... I'll report back...

[andyg plym]

Hmmm, pads sticking in the carriers, interesting... Do you lub them with copperslip or not... I didn't, i put them in dry?

copper slip everytime mate

whilst you are there with the tin open put a small dab on the wheel bolts so you stand half a chance if you ever have to swap wheels at the side of the road!

[Ian Simmonds]

copper slip everytime mate

whilst you are there with the tin open put a small dab on the wheel bolts so you stand half a chance if you ever have to swap wheels at the side of the road!

okay- doakes, yep, all I copper slipped was a fine smear on the pad to piston face and the wheel bolts. Greased the slider pins under the boots too... Not enough I suspect...

[Ian Simmonds]

Well, think I've got it, the car is rolling freely, but being a numpty i got carried away chasing a dodgey looking Mk2 Golf on the test drive and so all the brakes were red hot

Many thanks folk.

[andy10v]

pad quality makes a diference also, non dealer pads mostly need the paint removed where they fit in the carriers, even a gentle "tap" into place will cause sticking

Most non OE pads I have fitted have required a quick file, and some cheapo pads that came in the back of a car required metal removal before they would fit.