Technical Rear Passenger Side Brake Sticking?? (Smells Really Bad & VERY hot)

[louisvella01]

Hey everyone!

Bit of a weird one this. I picked up the car only a week or so ago and have probably driven it only 60 miles or so since, on 3 separate occasions. Today however I did a 20 ish mile round trip but for the first time there was 5 people in the car (I don't know if that has any relevance or not).

When I picked the car up it had an MOT & Service etc as part of the sale. During the MOT it had brand new disks and pads fitted to the rear wheels...

Everything has been find and perfect until I was almost home today when I stopped for fuel, I got out of the car and my passenger side rear wheel absolutely STUNK (just like the smell of a burning clutch), It also seemed considerably hotter when in close proximity in comparison to the other 3 wheels...

Obviously, the handbrake was fully off and the footbrake was to (it was pretty much all nice country roads with little to no braking at all)!!

Another thing which might be of interest but I might be wrong: I lifted the carpet in the boot and that side of the boot was rather hot to touch??? I know that the exhaust is that side so maybe that could be that... Just wouldn't expect my boot to be getting hot!!!

Any help at all would be a huge help...

 

[Ransoman]

Have a look under the rear of the car and make sure the heat sheild for the exaust is still attached to the bodywork (these can fall off).

Most likely it is a sticking brake. If you are DIY inclined, get the rear wheel off and remove the caliper. Make sure the caliper sliding pins on the caliper carrier are free and easy to move. If they are not, remove them, clean them up and grease them.

 

[keat63]

With the car in gear and the handbrake off.
Jack up the rear and see if the wheel rotates freely.
Compare this to the other side.

 

[louisvella01]

Thank you both! I was thinking more about this when I had posted it last night and everything both of you mentioned came to mind... I think I'll definitely jack it up and see if its spinning as a first test then next stop will be having that wheel off and checking those sliding pins...! What if its a problem with the piston I.E it's seized? Is that likely and if so is it an easy fix or is it a whole new calliper??

Thank you both so much!

 

[louisvella01]

Heyy guys! Finally got round to looking at this problem today! Just a quick question before I start... With the piston do they clamp back in or do you have to twist/screw them???


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[louisvella01]

Answered my own question, it screws back in haha! Seems like it might be the piston that is the problem because the sliding nuts seem fine ! Plus the rubber around the piston is completely ruined ! I've ran out of time today but any idea whats the best thing going forward?? If needs be how much is a new back calliper just out of interest???


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[louisvella01]

Soooo after a short little test the brake seems to be playing nicely again but I don't want to speak to soon... I have to have it off again to do some thing about the rubber seal!!!

Fiat said they don't supply replacement inner and outer seals for their callipers??! Does anyone on here have any idea where might be best to find a replacement outer rubber seal (or a set of inner and outer seals if that's how they come)?! I'm certainly not paying the £200+ fiat wanted for a reconditioned new back calliper!!!!!!


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[Ransoman]

What you need is a caliper refurbishing kit. This sells all the replacement rubber and seals you need. I have found Ebay good for these sorts of things.

 

[keat63]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Punt...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item485919597f

 

[KenMavor]

I would recommend getting a brand new refurbished caliper. Easier to do than doing it all yourself. Reading the thread it seems like a new car to you and the garage had done new discs and pad...take it back and say rear caliper has seized and get them to replace. Hardly fit for purpose.

Also make sure the handbrake isn't seized on at that side as well.

 

[louisvella01]

Hey! I have also completed this fix to! I purchased that rubber seals kit that you mentioned above and that worked perfectly! Popped some copper grease all round the sliding nuts etc and the problem so far seems to have disappeared!! Again thank you so much for all your help and trustworthy advice, I genuinely do appreciate it all!


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[Jacob]

Hi louisvella01

I have the same problem and suspect a sticking caliper so was going to go down the DIY caliper repair route as you did.

Did you buy the kit suggested by Keat off ebay?

And how was it to fit, is it a simple job and do you have any pointers?

Nice to see someone from Derbyshire too, I'm in chesterfield.

Many thanks
Jacob

 

[louisvella01]

Hi louisvella01

I have the same problem and suspect a sticking caliper so was going to go down the DIY caliper repair route as you did.

Did you buy the kit suggested by Keat off ebay?

And how was it to fit, is it a simple job and do you have any pointers?

Nice to see someone from Derbyshire too, I'm in chesterfield.

Many thanks
Jacob

Hey Jacob!

First of all take the caliber off and grease up the sliding pins that can be part of the problem right there I just used some copper slip for that...

But yes I purchased the kit that lest posted and it was great, really easy to fit indeed! If you go to the hassle of taking the piston out IT would be wise to change the inner rubber seal and the outer dust seal both of which were in that kit! One tip to fit them both would be to lubricate them with some brake fluid on your finger so that they don't tear when you're working!

Also bare in mind that on my 1.4L 16v Sporting the rear calliper Pistons wind back!! Where as I believe the front ones just push back so just check that before you work on it! If recommend buying the rewind tool or borrowing it from someone because it can be a bit of a nightmare otherwise especially if it is sticking a bit!!!

I think that pretty much covers it mate but if you've got any questions just ask!!

Wicked, you're only up the road then haha!

Cheers,

Louis

 

[Jacob]

Thanks for the quick reply mate!

I'll get out and check my brake in a minute to see what the issue is and order that kit if needs be, should save a fair amount over a replacement caliper.

Do you remember which way the piston wound in? And what tool did you use? I've seen universal rewind kits on the net that should do the job right?

Cheers

 

[louisvella01]

Thanks for the quick reply mate!

I'll get out and check my brake in a minute to see what the issue is and order that kit if needs be, should save a fair amount over a replacement caliper.

Do you remember which way the piston wound in? And what tool did you use? I've seen universal rewind kits on the net that should do the job right?

Cheers

No worries!!

Yeah have a look at it and see if you can figure out what it's playing at! Replacement calliper are so flippin expensive even reconditioned!! That was the same reason I wanted to try and repair mine first haha!

Hmmm good question, I "think" it was clock wise to wind it in but don't quote me on that!!! And for all I know they might be quirky and be opposites on each side!! When you try turning it you'll see straight away within quarter of a turn if you're going the right way or not :^)! From experience, it's a bit of a faff but to save yourself and even bigger headache, clip the hydraulic line to seal it, disconnect the handbrake cable and just take the whole calliper off, it will make rewinding it and fitting new seals a million times easier!!!

I actually used my dads tool which yes I believe was a generic universal rewind tool! Have a look at the piston now when you go out to look at it and you know straight away if the universal one will work, just get one for the right size piston and you should be okay...???

 

[cmosfxx]

FYI, copper slip is the wrong choice of grease to put on moving parts like piston sliding pins.

Silicone grease is the correct type for that kind of job.

 

[Jacob]

No worries!!

Yeah have a look at it and see if you can figure out what it's playing at! Replacement calliper are so flippin expensive even reconditioned!! That was the same reason I wanted to try and repair mine first haha!

Hmmm good question, I "think" it was clock wise to wind it in but don't quote me on that!!! And for all I know they might be quirky and be opposites on each side!! When you try turning it you'll see straight away within quarter of a turn if you're going the right way or not :^)! From experience, it's a bit of a faff but to save yourself and even bigger headache, clip the hydraulic line to seal it, disconnect the handbrake cable and just take the whole calliper off, it will make rewinding it and fitting new seals a million times easier!!!

I actually used my dads tool which yes I believe was a generic universal rewind tool! Have a look at the piston now when you go out to look at it and you know straight away if the universal one will work, just get one for the right size piston and you should be okay...???

Cheers for getting back to me, you're a massive help!

When I jacked the car up all corners were turning freely with no binding, went for a drive and the binding started again!

Seems intermittent, more investigation needed!

I've ordered some silicone grease, as said above copper grease looses its lubricating properties over time and the pins can stick again.