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question regarding callipers.


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fendertele
User

Mar 1, 2019, 10:56 PM

Post #1 of 13 (1200 views)
question regarding callipers. Sign In

Hey everyone,

Please bare with me as I'm just learning a lot of stuff but hoping someone can answer a few question I have to give me a better idea of what might be going on with my car.

If a calliper sticks, is this always caused by the calliper itself malfunctioning or can it be caused by something other than the calliper ?

Meaning if a calliper is sticking intermittently and the calliper is replaced with a new and it still continues to intermittently stick, is this just bad luck to have got another crap calliper or is there another possibility for it continuing to stick outside of the calliper itself.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 2, 2019, 3:57 AM

Post #2 of 13 (1164 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

It's "bear" with me, I don't feel like getting naked if you don't mind. Typos yes, I do tons of them.
Brakes: Calipers (is how you spell it) has spots to lube with proper grease nobody does until a problem. If new or rebuilt calipers stick and are installed properly the hose is most common. Just age, letting those hang by it or bad luck they allow pressure in but not to return so it sticks up the lock.
Your issue smacks of that the most - do both sides.


You can watch it by hoisting a sticky wheel and or all wheels such that they should turn free and the stuck one just quick bleed out a spit of fluid from the stuck one if it releases it's 99% the hose at fault. Still do both.


Use only proper BRAKE fluid for the vehicle! Total disaster if an oil has somehow got in to brake fluid or even exposed to moisture wrecks brake fluids. Of course those two not right away but will cause problems unknown a day to longer??


When in doubt if learning and not absolutely certain of what is a problem or not or your work do it with a pro to show you what clues to look for and make it right. OMG vehicles must stop as intended no room for games, saving a buck cutting corners or anything but the best.


Ask. This site is real techs one by one answers no automated info. See typos and all if anything is confusing you ask and ask again,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 2, 2019, 4:39 AM

Post #3 of 13 (1161 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

Just to add to Tom's answer. Those things apply only when it's a single wheel sticking.

If you have 2 or even 4 wheels sticking, there are a whole new set of possible causes.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



fendertele
User

Mar 2, 2019, 12:10 PM

Post #4 of 13 (1145 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

its a relatively new car, got it in 2017 part of the volkswagon group Seat, there was a pulling right from the start, when I tried to describe it to them they looked clueless.

I could go out to the car set the tyre pressures and one day it would start off pulling right then the next left... and during the journey would become very squirrelly which I've narrowed down to the change in tyre pressure due to whatever side sticking intermittently...

Last night I checked the tyre pressures on 3 occasions and passengers front was sitting 1 psi lower than the offending drivers side... and the drivers wheel cover was warmer to touch.

however later on during the journey I checked again and they were sitting equal and both sides similarly hot so I knew it was no longer sticking more on one side...

but later when I felt it off again the passengers side was now sitting higher and it was also hotter to touch.

I was just confused by this as I had just left the dealership with new pads/discs and two new calipers.

I now believe this has been the cause of the pull since day one... even though the technicians would have me believe there is a defect in the chassis from new...

So if I jack one side up at a time and spin the tyre with one good spin, I should just observe if it doesn't spin freely ? to figure out more accurately if it is indeed catching ?

reason I ask is it isn't as bad as when I took it in for the repair as it was burning hotter and there was smoke... i'm not smelling anything coming through the air ducts this time just slight nagging pull and when starting off like there is something tugging it back ever so slightly in one direction.

when I brake hard on the motorway it will pull one way.. or the other way.

im going to have the alignment checked on more time just incase it may be toeing out slightly which would also account for it braking to one side or the other would this be correct ?

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fendertele
User

Mar 2, 2019, 12:14 PM

Post #5 of 13 (1140 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

also would it be possibly to temporarily disable front brakes to take it a short journey to see if it is indeed the brakes sticking causing a pull ?

I would do so early morning... no traffic at low speeds and just use the rear brakes, is this something that can be done or that I could speak with a mechanic to do for me for a short test ?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 2, 2019, 12:16 PM

Post #6 of 13 (1138 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

This problem is above your pay grade and rather dangerous. I would get it back to the dealer that did the brake job and let them find the problem.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 2, 2019, 12:42 PM

Post #7 of 13 (1133 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

Agree - past DIY now if only equipment now. Hey - a hot wheel is trouble if other side isn't this problem MUST go,


T



fendertele
User

Mar 2, 2019, 1:05 PM

Post #8 of 13 (1127 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

ive been reading a sticky caliper wouldn't cause the actual tyre to heat up is this true ? as the fluctuating unequal tyre pressures is whats giving me the most trouble while driving, would this likely point to a cocked up wheel alignment.

But yes im going back on Monday they are a total nightmare of a place and I only continue going to honor my warranty as it looks good while I fight to have the car taken back.

I have had it in with them in the past to check my rear brakes as I thought they were getting low due to screeching noises... I was given back the car and told all was okay.. I continued to drive around but could still hear the issue.

I took it to an independent garage and the told me it had worn down so low to the metal it had actually damaged the caliper!

when I took it back to the dealership they confirmed the brakes were worn.. but the caliper was okay and had to replace the brake pads and discs and I got hit with half the bill, they said halfing the bill was a courtesy for continuing to use them lol!

this time round the front calipers stuck and damaged the discs aswell… and again I was given half off as a thankyou for continuing to use them.

I feel this is wrong as the car is under warranty and in both cases I was not at fault but because I don't know enough about cars I didn't argue in case I made an invalid argument on the discs being only damaged due to their neglect the first time and faulty parts the second time.

it's also had a sump leak which had to be repaired, I still get the low oil light from time to time and refill accordingly but I have a sneaky feeling its still an issue but when they have looked at it they have told me its okay.

faulty interior lights that has needed to be replaced 5 times... they had the car for 5 days to do the front calipers and the light.... got the car back yesterday and the light wasn't touched.

and the ongoing puilling/handling issue... they are honestly the worst but because im inexperienced with cars and trying to keep the log book looking good for the ongoing case against them i'm persevering with them.

obviously all this chat in here is helping me get a better idea of whats going on and ideas to throw at them but if im being honest I don't think they give 2 ^&*% because of my easy going and unconfrontational nature.

It's not that I wouldn't love to go in to their manager and tear him a new one, it's just I don't know if I have any ground to or how to approach it.

I planned on going in Monday but I want to make sure the wheel is still sticking for sure... and that me having to pay for replacement discs wasn't just wear and tear and due to the sticking caliper and the technician not spotting the worn brake pads the first time round.

the car is a 2017 plate and done 45k.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 2, 2019, 1:54 PM

Post #9 of 13 (1115 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

? Dealing with dealer? If known trouble is there another even if a hassle to get to it? This has a lot going on if not an accident not fixed properly must be from new or delivery before ever sold.
If no satisfaction and there's no way to blame you or something along the way seek higher responsible people thru probably "operator's manual" may list contact info.


Getting angry feels good but doesn't work.
Oh - about the heat. There's no telling the extent that could damage what now. If hot enough YES could harm an alloy wheel or tire up to a hub or bearing's integrity I would think lots more symptoms but you've listed MANY already.
If you've known this from new a 2017 with just 45K miles this should be able to feel just fine with no complaints. May have needed brake work for normal wear or tyres (tires) if they are not good could be normal but would be even not just one I would think.
You have to do something so just wish you luck. Keep a cool head dealing with warranty but you don't need excuses that aren't credible!
It's not right up to terrible not safe as it is so something has to happen. Wish you luck - the harder you try the better it gets! :-)


Tom



fendertele
User

Mar 4, 2019, 6:35 AM

Post #10 of 13 (1066 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

okay I did the check today I have an appointment later with the dealership so just wanting to verify a few things before I head down.

I took the car to flat car park, left the handbrake off and jacked up one side at a time so I could spin each wheel.

I noticed I could spin the rear wheels easier, I could spin them using one hand and they would continue to roll for a second.

however the front wheels had a bit more resistance, to get the same momentum I had to use 2 hands and the wheels didn't want to continue turning without my input.

my car is a fwd so just wanted to check if front wheels on a fwd are meant to have a bit more resistance than the rears ? or does it sound like the fronts are sticking.

While driving last night I was paying careful attention to how the car was handling... sometimes the pull was to the left then the right.... and at other times the car couldn't decide which way it wanted to pull like it was fighting to go both ways... and would finally pull to whatever side had the sloped camber


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 4, 2019, 7:55 AM

Post #11 of 13 (1058 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

OK: Fronts on a front wheel drive you are turning other parts, the rear is more like a trailer could and would coast if spun fast enough by hand.
This erratic pulling one way then perhaps the other still matters about a wheel getting warm up to too hot to touch. That one if only one will pull that way at first and if hot enough the cool one will have better friction the precise spot it's dragging is glowing hot the cool one then wins may do just what you are saying.


Upon inspection this should have clear evidence just looking at color of rotors the one (this case I think) that drags will show a different coloration up to burnt, blueish and maybe an odor the other doesn't have.


It's not that tricky the test would be a bit better with both drive wheels hoisted and both ways. It should be clear to an experienced tech what to do about this.


Let's just hope it's not a fuss to just get this fixed properly and itemized what parts were done to correct it and be done with this. We've said it can't stay that way and do not count on it just going away by itself it should never behave like you've described,
T
(edit more in) It also calls for doing the same work and parts to each side not just the offending one. Any brake work should be done equally. Do pay attention to that and insist as best you can?



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Mar 4, 2019, 7:58 AM)


fendertele
User

Mar 4, 2019, 12:23 PM

Post #12 of 13 (1045 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

hey tom thanks for all the replies, unfortunately I don't think it is going to be easy. They are not going to want to admit that their is a fault and I presume they will correct the issue but blame it on something else.

Reason being if they admit there is still a sticking caliper and when corrected the car no longer pulls to either side... they will also be admitting that for nearly a year they have been misdiagnosing the reason for the pull which has cost me thousands not just in alignments and replacing parts... but also falling behind on finance payments due to the vehicle not being fit for work.

this is why I shall take it to an independent garage for the checks you have suggested above so that the dealership are unable to cover it up.

will let you know how I go.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 4, 2019, 1:42 PM

Post #13 of 13 (1035 views)
Re: question regarding callipers. Sign In

Hammer Time too on 3rd post that counts still if I've misunderstood the observations, testing and how you did it.
Goes easy with the place. Blame now is useless even you deal with same people it's a new try at it.
Always another thing. If they go for it and toss all parts I would (by strong guess here mind you) they might have to do all new stuff now 45K just maybe say now you got a deal on new brakes at a time when about normally worn is improved. I still think this was lurking a long time but room to discuss that a little if you do get all new stuff now some % of the parts didn't get you killed yet for 45K or harm to you or anyone else.


Wish you luck - already said that. Let us know how it went and do find out how far they went for parts. Warranty bull can be funky as car maker pays less is motivated to go cheap and just what fixes it plus NOT pay again for anything the same! By rights that's not your problem but is an issue always bugged me,
T







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