Member Since: 21 Jun 2011
Location: North Worcestershire (not far from Redditch)
Posts: 385
Sticking Caliper??
Hi folks,
Just home from work and while on the motorway, the car was juddering. Got home and jumped out and checked all around. Kinda a 'hot' acrid smell from around by the rear nearside wheel. Could also hear a 'hot' noise... you know that noise when something hot is cooling down, like a clicking...
Did a really scientific test.. I spat on all four discs and with the rear nearside one, it evaporated as soon as it hit, but didn't with the other 3.
Typically, we are off for a week to France this weekend so need to move quick. Does this sound like a sticking caliper or is there a way to properly diagnose if it is? If so, how easy are they to change, do I need to do both sides etc etc etc
Managed to change all discs and pads myself with the help of Bodsy's Bible, so I'm up for giving this a go as well haha.
Any views / comments so I can have a mess in a little while would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks all,
Chris.
.. now moved to the D3 Maintenance instead... DOH!! .. still learning )
Isofix car seat, Isofix baby seat base, crushed carpet crisps, sticky leather seats (next to Isofix car seat), upgraded front rubber cup holder things, wired up USB charge and audio for my iphone, side steps, de-tango'd lights, H7 OSRAM Nighbreakers, LED side lights, LED reverse lights, clear repeaters, Narpy Grill... tools I don't know how to use.... yet..
20th May 2015 5:36 pm
Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
Chris
This could quite possibly be a sticking caliper .it could also be the sliders for the calipers sticking ,these will need checking . If it is a sticking caliper I would replace both of them for what they cost I did this a few months ago .be mindful that the disc has been very hot and may of warped also what condition are the discs in? they may also need replacement .Do replace the pads at the same time . the other part of the braking system for consideration would be the park brake .You're not afraid of the dark are you ?
20th May 2015 5:59 pm
MGCarr
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
It does sound like a sticking calliper, unfortunately Discovery rear calipers have a habit of seizing in one of two places. Either the pistons seize in the calipers or the caliper seizes on the pins that it slides on, or if really unlucky both. Both are easy to diagnose by removing the pads as per the brake bible and seeing what is stiff to move, the pistons should push back with moderate force and the slides should move with little or no resistance.
The pins can often be cleaned up and freed off without removing the calipers from the flexible brake pipes and then rebuilt with lots of copper grease, if the Pistons are seized I would recommend replacement calipers from Advanced Factors as long as you are confident in bleeding the brakes afterwards.
If both are free then I would recommend cleaning and adjusting the EPB, again covered in Bodsy's excellent brake bible.
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
20th May 2015 7:28 pm
DigitalJunior
Member Since: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 4401
Calliper is around £90 and fitting it should be no more than £20.
20th May 2015 7:31 pm
DDDad
Member Since: 10 Jan 2015
Location: Angus
Posts: 1201
Both the calliper piston and the guide pins rely on rubber boots/gaiters to keep muck and water out. Once the rubber perishes or is damaged, no amount of cleaning and greasing will solve the problem for long. Indeed, some lubricants will further attack the rubber.
Make sure you have two new copper washers to seal the banjo coupling to each new calliper: I didn't get any in the kit from AF.
One litre of fresh brake fluid was enough for me to replace both rear callipers, even though I retained the pads, which were well worn and the pistons well extended. I'd never done any work on hydraulics, but found this job very straight forward.Went for a job as a human cannonball. Not the right calibre.
20th May 2015 9:21 pm
Leesbay
Member Since: 19 Dec 2011
Location: rainford
Posts: 1581
had the same on mine, excessive heat and chuffing/grinding noise particularly around slow corners
found sticky sliders and worn rubber seals
I replaced both calipers with new original parts
all done for about £200 from memory
easy diy job with a bleeding kit or a helper
takes about 30 mins per corner
I also did the discs and pads while I was there as they were getting close to limits....................................................................................................
If my wife ever sells my stuff for what she thinks I paid for them, you lot are gonna get some bargains!
20th May 2015 9:30 pm
Chris1969
Member Since: 21 Jun 2011
Location: North Worcestershire (not far from Redditch)
Posts: 385
Thanks folks. All very helpful as usual
Would like to do it myself but I have never done brake bleeding before so a little hesitant.
The discs look ok and I replaced them about 12 months ago so hoping they should be ok. May get in touch a couple of places locally to see how much to do it for me... still learning )
Isofix car seat, Isofix baby seat base, crushed carpet crisps, sticky leather seats (next to Isofix car seat), upgraded front rubber cup holder things, wired up USB charge and audio for my iphone, side steps, de-tango'd lights, H7 OSRAM Nighbreakers, LED side lights, LED reverse lights, clear repeaters, Narpy Grill... tools I don't know how to use.... yet..
21st May 2015 5:22 am
highlands
Member Since: 10 Jan 2010
Location: NW Highlands
Posts: 5098
I'd try taking the caliper off and working the pins in and out. If it's a seized pin it'll be obvious and once freed off, get it cleaned and greased it should be fine for the holiday.
Also, the caliper mounting under the shims the pads slide on can rust and cause the pads to stick.
Finally, if it is the caliper stuck you could work the piston out a bit (it may 'pop' when it frees itself), spray lots of brake cleaner under the rubber boot) then work it in and out with brake fluid under the boot before, preferably, a final clean with brake cleaner and then some red rubber grease under the boot. That should suffice for the holiday before changing the caliper for a refurbished one. Works for me. YMMVBlack 05 TDV6 HSE Auto
Grey 05 TDV6 HSE Auto (Gone)
54 TDV6 SE Man (killed by me )
Last edited by highlands on 21st May 2015 5:44 am. Edited 1 time in total
21st May 2015 5:42 am
geoff.
Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
Location: West kent
Posts: 8531
Would like to do it myself but I have never done brake bleeding before so a little hesitant.
The discs look ok and I replaced them about 12 months ago so hoping they should be ok. May get in touch a couple of places locally to see how much to do it for me.
got mine done at a friendly garage and it was only £115 supply and fit if that helps
21st May 2015 6:12 am
Chris1969
Member Since: 21 Jun 2011
Location: North Worcestershire (not far from Redditch)
Posts: 385
... a week and a bit on and I've been to France, enjoyed the weather and now back home and I sorted my problem before I went away
Got 2 new (recon) calipers, 2 sets of sliders and a set of rear pads from Steve at AF along with some other bits. Had a chat with Geoff who gave me a few pointers having never done anything like this before and after 1.5hrs, I had the one side done. After a further 25 minutes had the other side done
It actually turned out to be quite a simple job and most definitely a DIY one once I had grown a pair and got on with it
So, my thanks to Steve at AF for sorting me out and getting the order shipped super fast (ordered Friday, arrived Saturday ( ) and a massive thank you to Geoff for helping me out once again ... and all done considerably cheaper than taking it somewhere!
Yet again, I've got a bit more knowledge and a bit more cash than I thought I would have by the end .. still learning )
Isofix car seat, Isofix baby seat base, crushed carpet crisps, sticky leather seats (next to Isofix car seat), upgraded front rubber cup holder things, wired up USB charge and audio for my iphone, side steps, de-tango'd lights, H7 OSRAM Nighbreakers, LED side lights, LED reverse lights, clear repeaters, Narpy Grill... tools I don't know how to use.... yet..
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)
) 
... and all done considerably cheaper than taking it somewhere!
