CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 Both rear calipers on my new valver have completely seized. I can only park on a flat surface. The paperwork shows that the n/s rear caliper was replaced in Feb this year, so it shouldn't have seized by now. Anyway, before I spend loads of dosh on new MKIV calipers, what's the best way to try and unseize them? Gotta be worth a try. Is it just a case of wheels off and lots of WD40, or do I have to remove the calipers totally (worried about trying this!). Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 14, 2006 It will be the bias valve or rusty handbrake cables if both are seized.... hammer and wd40 :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 ...so hopefully no need for new calipers? Are the bias valve and cables easy to change? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 14, 2006 The valve probably just needs unseizing mechanically... Look for the block with brake pipes going to it near the rear axel, then locate the spring mechanism next to it, spry loads of WD 40 on it and try and 'free' it with a hammer (being careful not to hit the brake lines) - MOT testers are used to doing this on VW's! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gradeAfailure 0 Posted May 14, 2006 mind you, both the handbrake actuating arms were shot on my sis's rear calipers - replaced them both with calipers off a broken VR and joy, handbrake again! apparently std calipers are only £35 or so for the pair, exchange from gsf... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 Thanks guys. Steve, I'll give that a go first. Is it best to have the wheels off? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 14, 2006 No - axle stands is a must tho. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 Cheers bud, just got to find somewhere flat to work on! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riley 0 Posted May 14, 2006 can i just ask if the mk4 calipers are a straight swap? cheers,neil. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 Yeh, they are. You need the brake line conversion kit from Goodridge too @ £35. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riley 0 Posted May 14, 2006 cool,cheers m8 :D neil. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2_Door_fun 0 Posted May 14, 2006 I Failed my MOT on the bias valve being seized. WD40 and a hammer :lol: Soon soughted it. These are the lines going into it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 2_Door_fun, thanks for the pic! Where did you put the WD40, and what did you actually wack with the hammer? Could you bung some arrows on the pic? :wink: Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2_Door_fun 0 Posted May 14, 2006 2_Door_fun, thanks for the pic! Where did you put the WD40, and what did you actually wack with the hammer? Could you bung some arrows on the pic? :wink: Cheers Here ya go mate. My cars of for its retest 11:30 tomorrow morning here's hoping :roll: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 14, 2006 Thanks matey, you're a star :) Pics are worth a thousand words. Best wishes for your retest! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stone0311 0 Posted May 15, 2006 You need the brake line conversion kit from Goodridge too @ £35. If your other lines are the early rubber type you have to change all of them for the braided ones ~ 6 intotal, two conversion lines for the rear and the replacement ones for the front and rear axle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2_Door_fun 0 Posted May 15, 2006 Thanks matey, you're a star :) Pics are worth a thousand words. Best wishes for your retest! Woooohoooooooo I have my MOT...Get in there hahahahahhaha. Tester said when I have run in that Supercharger that car is not going to be touched from the lights. Handbrake is a bugger. Even with a new caliper and adjustment it still only reached 18%. He said try to adjust it a little. His mate has a Mk2 Golf and that prooved to be a swine to get right. Anyway I'm off out for a spin.... :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 19, 2006 Right, gave the bias valve a load of WD40 and a good hammering, and the handbrake is now working! Thanks for the advice guys :D and 2_Door_fun, thanks for the brilliant pics. Have got hold of a couple of MKIV red anniversary callipers as a precausion :wink: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STORM 2 0 Posted May 19, 2006 You need the brake line conversion kit from Goodridge too @ £35. If your other lines are the early rubber type you have to change all of them for the braided ones ~ 6 intotal, two conversion lines for the rear and the replacement ones for the front and rear axle can I ask why you need to replace all of em? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted May 19, 2006 Have got hold of a couple of MKIV red anniversary callipers as a precausion Wink Nice one - they are factory powdercoated so should last longer than standards! can I ask why you need to replace all of em? STORM 2, I think they just recomend that all are done as it will change the 'feel' of the pedal as the hoses will not expand as much as the rubber ones... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gradeAfailure 0 Posted May 19, 2006 hmmm, sis's C failed on n/s caliper not working on handbrake (tho pretty sure it's the cable) and seized compensator - guess what I'm doing Sunday! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henny 0 Posted May 20, 2006 guess what I had to do this morning after my car failed it's MOT... They really are a crap design... :lol: Still, she's got nice new brake pipes now and a working compensator, so I think I may go whole hog tomorrow and fit the MKIV rear calipers and Brembo 4 pot fronts while she's off the road with no MOT... :roll: :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites